
via Getty
JACKSONVILLE, FL – MAY 13: Glover Teixeira of Brazil looks on in his Light Heavyweight bout during UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

via Getty
JACKSONVILLE, FL – MAY 13: Glover Teixeira of Brazil looks on in his Light Heavyweight bout during UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Glover Teixeira made history at UFC 267 by becoming the oldest first-time champion in UFC history. The Brazilian defeated Jan Blachowicz via a second-round submission to become the light heavyweight champion. The MMA veteran went into the fight on the back of a five-fight win streak and dominated the Polish fighter.
For the title fight, Jiri Prochazka was the backup fighter and was in the crowd. After the win, during his post-fight interview, Teixeira in a way acknowledged Prochazka as the next challenger and said he’ll be ready to fight again in May 2022. In a recent interview with Sherdog, the champion talked about his return.
He said, “Yeah, for sure, in Brazil, like it’s meant to be. I said right after my fight with Blachowicz, and I say, the perfect scenario would be May. For myself, because I wanted to relax and enjoy this moment. That was a hard year for me. Hardcore, focus 100 percent for the fight. I want a few months off, a couple of months off and I want to get back beginning of January. And I want five months before the fight.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I told everybody, May will be perfect time and May is the card in Brazil, who knows, maybe it’s a possibility and it’ll be fun.”
ALSO READ – “I Try to Be Very Fair”- Joe Rogan Responds to Criticism on His Commentary
“Maybe I bring Mo to my camp, be a good possibility. I’m a good friend with Mo, and not just that, Jiri (Prochazka) is like a very awkward striker. Very fast with his movements, very good technique but also, he’s open up a lot. That’s I think how King Mo got him. He comes crazy like that, he also lets himself open for a good punch to connect,” he added.
Glover Teixeira’s run to the title
The Brazilian is a true veteran of MMA. He started his professional career in 2002 and had a long way to the title. Glover Teixeira signed with the UFC back in 2012 on the back of a 17-2 record. After signing with the promotion, he went on a five-fight win streak and got a shot at the light heavyweight title at UFC 172. He took on the then-champion Jon Jones and lost the fight via a unanimous decision.
After the defeat, he went on a 5 win, 4 losses run, and the chances of him getting another title shot looked bleak. However, the Brazilian went on a great run and again won five fights in a row. He even beat former contenders Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos before challenging for the title.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Going into the fight, not many people gave him a chance, but he exceeded all the expectations and dominated the champion, Jan Blachowicz. After the fight, he said he wants to take some time off before preparing for the fight against Jiri Prochazka.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
When do you think Teixeira and Prochazka will face each other? Let us know.
WATCH THIS STORY – Conor McGregor, Kamaru Usman and other UFC Stars Who Headlined the Most Successful PPV Events of 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT