5 best Glover Teixeira performances in the UFC
This weekend sees Glover Teixeira defend his light heavyweight title against top challenger Jiri Prochazka in the headliner of UFC 275. If the Brazilian wins, it’ll be one of his biggest victories to date.
Glover Teixeira has now been in the UFC for just over a decade. In that period of time, he’s pulled off some huge victories with some genuinely tremendous performances.
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[ @GloverTeixeira | #UFC275 | Saturday | Live on ESPN+ PPV: ufc.ac/3NmyBV9 ] https://t.co/q9vNWZTs8t
With an overall octagon record of 16-5 and wins coming via both knockout and submission, it’s safe to say that Teixeira is one of the best fighters of his generation and will be remembered for some time to come regardless of this weekend’s result.
With this in mind, here are Teixeira’s top five performances in the UFC.
#5. Glover Teixeira vs. Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson – UFC on Fox 6
When Glover Teixeira debuted in the UFC in the summer of 2012, it was pretty clear that he was a very dangerous fighter from the off. Not only was he already hugely experienced, sporting an MMA record of 17-2, but he also needed just under two minutes to dispatch his first opponent, Kyle Kingsbury.
It came as no surprise, then, that after one more victory, the UFC pushed the Brazilian right up into the upper echelon, matching him with former light heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in his third octagon bout.
Sure, Jackson had fallen on some hard times at that point, but he was still recognized as not only one of the most dangerous strikers in the 205-pound division, but he also had plenty of star power left, too.
Despite 'Rampage’s superior experience levels, though, the fight belonged to Teixeira from the off. The first round saw him dominate proceedings, taking Jackson’s back at one point and then dropping him with a right hook, while the third round saw him take the former champion down and dominate him on the ground.
Jan26.2013
Glover Teixeira earns one of the biggest victories of his career,
when he defeats Quinton Jackson by unanimous decision https://t.co/OS3AQMgdg5
In the end, Teixeira was awarded a lopsided unanimous decision victory, elevating him into the higher levels of the rankings, somewhere he’s remained since.