FIGHTER PROFILE: GLOVER TEIXEIRA

After his win at UFC 267 against Jan Błachowicz, Glover Teixeira at age 42 became the Second oldest UFC Champion of all time, an impressive feat for a man who has been in pursuit of a UFC title for 19 years. It’s a long way to the top but for those that stay the course the reward is extra sweet. 

Teixeira was born in Rural Brazil in a town called Sobrália, Minas Gerais. In his town conditions weren’t great; there were many homes without electricity. These conditions made Teixeira move to the United States in 1999. Teixeira entered the US through Mexico with the aid of Coyotes who smuggled him into the country. When Teixeira moved to the United States he worked in Landscaping, and would meet his wife Ingrid. It was upon his move to The United States that he saw boxing for the first time after a co-worker made a comment about Mike Tyson.

Around this time Teixeira saw MMA for the first time and was inspired by fighters Like Royce Gracie and Chuck Lidell; he then decided to take up Brazilian jiu-jitsu and also started training in boxing while working 10-12 hours Landscaping. Eventually Liddell would become Teixeira’s training partner in California at a gym called the Pit which was owned by John Hackleman.  Teixeira would eventually earn his 7th Degree Hawaiian Kempo Black Belt under the tutelage of Hackleman sometime later. Unfortunately Teixeira was found out by US authorities as being here illegally and was deported back to Brazil where he continued fighting for Numerous promotions ultimately compiling a 17-2 record. 

Teixeira’s impressive MMA record would catch the attention of Dana White and the UFC who would sign Teixeira in February of 2012. Teixeira would make his UFC debut in May of that same year at UFC 146 where he faced off against Kyle Kingsbury.  Teixeira would win by Submission (arm-triangle choke.) Teixeira would go on to win his next four fights compiling a promotional record of 5-0 earning him a title shot against MMA Light Heavyweight King and champion Jon Jones who had defended the Belt a whopping six times already Teixeira would fall short of the title but he was down, but not out.

From the point of his loss to Jones to his loss to Corey Anderson, Teixeira would go 5-4 the only real rough patch of his career. He’d learn from this rough patch and go on a five fight win streak earning Teixeira another title shot. This time he was ready, earning a victory over Jan Błachowicz by Submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 267 for the Light Heavyweight belt. The 42 year old Teixeira would become the second oldest UFC Champion in the promotion’s history. 

Teixeira was welcomed home in Connecticut with a large gathering to celebrate his win. It is not known who Texeira will face next, but the fighter has an amazing story and hopefully he’ll be able to put together a few successful title defenses before retirement.