One final chance for Glover Teixeira to become a UFC champion

Glover Teixeira boarded a airplane from New York to his home nation of Brazil on July 5, 2008. Later that evening, Forrest Griffin defeated Quinton “Rampage” Jackson to win the UFC light heavyweight title. When Teixeira read that outcome, he designed a psychological observe: Griffin would be the one particular he’d be hard in the close to long term for the belt.

At the time, Teixeira figured he’d be in Brazil for about three months even though he bought things sorted with his visa. Teixeira experienced been residing in the U.S. illegally for many decades. His plan was to utilize for an I-192 “forgiveness” waiver, return house to Brazil for a shorter period of time of time and then be granted a visa to return.

Teixeira’s waiver was granted. His visa was denied. At 28 several years aged, in what lots of would consider his athletic primary, Teixeira was not able to return to the U.S. for approximately four a long time. Most likely just as essential, he could not contend for the UFC when many at the time thought Teixeira — then a major education lover of legend Chuck Liddell — was amongst the most effective 205-pound fighters in the globe.

“It was incredibly irritating,” Teixeira informed ESPN. “I understood I could conquer 90% of people guys that had been in the UFC at the time.”

Jan Blachowicz defends his mild heavyweight championship versus Glover Teixeira in the principal event of a unusual numbered UFC event not on PPV. The card, which also features a bantamweight interim title bout involving Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen, is obtainable to ESPN+ subscribers.

UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira
Saturday, Oct. 30, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Primary card: 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+
• Prelims: 10:30 a.m. ET on ESPN+

Subscribe to ESPN+ to get unique live UFC gatherings, weigh-ins and a lot more Dana White’s Contender Series and much more unique MMA content material.

13 many years later, Teixeira is nevertheless seeking to make up for shed time. Teixeira (32-7) made an unsuccessful bid for the UFC gentle heavyweight title on April 26, 2014, shedding a choice to then-champion Jon Jones at UFC 172. On Saturday he will get a 2nd shot, challenging winner Jan Blachowicz in the most important function of UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (2 p.m., ESPN+).

7 adult males have held the belt given that Teixeira was banned from re-entering the U.S. in 2008. 4 of them are possibly retired or no longer in the UFC. But Teixeira is nonetheless here, plugging along at 42 years old and on a five-fight winning streak. Along the way, he has created changes to remain at the best amount, which include embracing a a person-two blend of science and spirituality. Extra than something, nevertheless, it is been a make a difference of will and willpower.

“This is the time,” Teixeira claimed. “Which is why I am here. Like I say, I’m not going to go again and think what if this transpired or if this happened back again then. I am just residing in the second now. I’m glad here I am now, fighting for the belt and savoring the system.”

When he fights Blachowicz on Saturday, it will be 2,744 days in among title pictures. Teixeira’s 14 UFC fights in between championship prospects are the most at any time for a challenger going following the very same title. And if Teixeira wins this weekend, he’ll be only the third fighter in UFC historical past to keep a title at the age of 40 or earlier mentioned, joining all-time greats Randy Couture and Daniel Cormier.

The journey has been extended, with lots of ups and downs. But Teixeira can see the horizon, and not just when he appears to be out his resort space window this weekend at the Persian Gulf.

“The only point which is lacking,” Teixeira claimed, “is the belt.”

Glover Teixeira, correct, educated with previous UFC heavyweight winner Pedro Rizzo, right, although in Brazil. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Visuals

LYOTO MACHIDA Initially began coaching with Teixeira in Brazil in 2009, the very same 12 months Machida defeat Rashad Evans to earn the UFC mild heavyweight title. Teixeira was trapped in Brazil at the time, unable to return to Danbury, Connecticut, where he had been dwelling with his wife, Ingrid. Although residing in the U.S., Teixeira experienced been operating as a landscaper when he was not touring to Southern California to train with Liddell.

Teixeira was hoping to make the most out of his time in Brazil, touring the country and schooling with the likes of previous UFC heavyweight winner Pedro Rizzo, previous Pride heavyweight winner Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, then-UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Machida. Teixeira was 7-2 as a pro at the time, with all but one victory coming through complete. He was employed to heading toe-to-toe with Liddell in sparring back in California, so he fit in effectively with his substantial-degree instruction companions in Brazil. Teixeira had a rare blend of higher-stage wrestling and grappling mixed with knockout ability, a relentless speed and durability.

“When we have been instruction together, I could sense that this man is tough, person,” Machida claimed of individuals classes 12 several years back. “And he has the grit. Even when I strike challenging, Glover generally arrived ahead, transfer ahead. That shows his spirit, his will to attain.”

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One particular afternoon whilst he was in Rio de Janeiro instruction at Silva’s gym, Teixeira explained, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor approached him and stated soon after viewing him coach that he certain Teixeira would be in the major five in the UFC in one particular 12 months of being in the advertising.

In late 2011, extra than three years after Teixeira landed in Brazil, Ingrid, an American citizen, wrote a coronary heart-tugging letter to the U.S. consulate in Brazil, a further effort to consider to get her spouse again to the United States following a number of unsuccessful attempts. This time, even though, the gears were being set in motion. He was eventually granted a visa, and Teixeira signed with the UFC in February 2012.

Even though fighting in Brazil, Teixeira went 10- with nine finishes, which includes knockouts about former UFC heavyweight winner Ricco Rodriguez and veteran Marvin Eastman. He built his UFC debut on May possibly 26, 2012, scoring a very first-spherical submission victory about Kyle Kingsbury. Teixeira went 4- in his initial year with the UFC, which include a win about previous winner Quinton “Rampage” Jackson that founded him as a contender for the title. Right after that struggle, Teixeira sought out on Facebook the Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete who had presented him people kind text a several years before.

“Bro,” Teixeira wrote,” you ended up ideal about that.”

In Teixeira’s sixth UFC struggle, significantly less than two years after debuting with the promotion, he challenged Jones for the title. He fell by means of unanimous selection to the gentleman a lot of consider is the finest MMA fighter of all time. Teixeira dropped his following battle, also, to dominant wrestler Phil Davis in Oct 2014.

4 days immediately after the Davis decline, Teixeira turned 35, and at that point several wrote him off. The emotion was Teixeira experienced his great UFC operate, got a title shot and would eventually fade away like so numerous some others.

What took place alternatively? Teixeira begun building way of life and schooling adjustments that proved all the doubters mistaken.

“I’ve generally had faith,” Ingrid said. “I often understood that he experienced the expertise. Not that I’m anybody that knows just about anything. But you could see his push, his perseverance. You know he is some thing unique, regardless.”

Glover Teixeira, above, impressed former champion Lyoto Machida when instruction collectively in Brazil. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC by means of Getty Illustrations or photos

TEIXEIRA WAS SPARRING late final month at his gymnasium in Bethel, Connecticut. He did five rounds with a distinct opponent in each and every round. Machida, his longtime education spouse and buddy, was looking on. When Teixeira was accomplished, Machida posed a concern.

“I could see his deal with,” Machida mentioned. “His expression. He was still very fresh. I reported, ‘Hey Glover, how do you experience?’ He said, ‘I experience fantastic, person. I could do 1 far more round.’ I mentioned, ‘That’s the time you have to halt schooling.’ It can be like having a cake. You have a person piece of cake, then you normally have a hunger to eat that cake, simply because you will not take in the entire factor.”

That cake analogy has been emblematic of Teixeira’s new teaching system. When he was more youthful, he’d defeat himself into the floor throughout education camp, reduce too a lot bodyweight and arrive into the fight exhausted.

Teixeira explained when he fought Jones he weighed about 240 lbs . just before he started his camp at American Leading Staff, and he had to make 205 on weigh-in working day. Prior to a loss to Corey Anderson in July 2018 (his most the latest defeat), Teixeira said he dislocated his shoulder three weeks ahead of the bout carrying out tricky Brazilian jiu-jitsu sparring, and he hardly ever stopped to relaxation it.

“When you might be youthful, the moi will get in the way,” Teixeira mentioned. “You believe, ‘I’m a f—ing beast — I can struggle suitable now.'”

Just after the Davis reduction, Teixeira won 3 straight, but then he was knocked out in 13 seconds by fearsome slugger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson at UFC 202 in August 2016. That led to Teixeira selecting he would do his teaching camps at his very own fitness center in Connecticut, alternatively than touring in other places.

Right after getting rid of to Phil Davis, still left, in 2014 it seemed like Glover Teixeira’s vocation was over. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC by using Getty Photos

Teixeira went 2-2 in his up coming 4 fights, relegated to a gatekeeper function in the division. But he was continue to attempting to evolve. Teixeira extra meditation to his every day regimen.

Presently, each morning he wakes up early, grabs his meditation cushion, sits with his legs crossed and zones out.

“It is really tremendous vital to him and he does not like to be interrupted,” Ingrid mentioned.

Subsequent the Anderson loss, Teixeira decided to embrace science as properly. He began doing the job with the UFC General performance Institute (PI) in 2019, a time body that coincides with his recent 5-struggle winning streak. Mainly because Teixeira life in Connecticut and only will get to the PI a handful of occasions a 12 months, he is worked remotely with toughness and conditioning coach Kyle Larimer, sports science professional Roman Fomin and nutrition mentor Charles Stull.

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UFC vice president of overall performance Duncan French reported Teixeira is 1 of the most energetic remote people of the PI between UFC fighters, accessing just about each individual support the facility offers. Teixeira has an Oura ring, which tracks his snooze and recovery, and is subscribed to the UFC’s Icon Meals software, which delivers just about every thing he eats directly to his home.

“His drive to embrace a thing that was new and novel, I imagine, was really refreshing and produced it simple for our guys to interact with him,” French stated. “Since that day, he’s been a super person of our providers. It was truly insightful on his behalf to say, ‘How can I lengthen my career?’ And not just, ‘I can nevertheless contend at the top level. I want to force out a couple much more fights and have a few a lot more paydays.’ But really, ‘I can continue to do the job to a title.'”

French explained when Teixeira initially arrived into the PI for exams, it was clear that his coaching composition was not fantastic, his restoration was “not optimum” and “he was schooling fatigued.”

“He just was not observing the rewards of the coaching method that he and his mentor ended up adopting,” French reported. “It was a very little little bit previous school. Your common Brazilian jiu-jitsu — just smash it out and preserve driving by way of the wall.”

Teixeira now commences his instruction camps at around 220 lbs, making for an less difficult slash to 205. Right after working with the PI, he’s not concerned to take a day off for restoration below and there whilst prepping for a fight.

Teixeira said when he was a child back again in Brazil he would watch soccer, and the gamers experienced the reward of employing crew-delivered nutritionists, power and conditioning coaches and other packages for peak effectiveness that failed to exist for MMA fighters until a short while ago.

“You’ve bought to evolve,” Teixeira explained. “If it’s doing work, you keep heading. But particularly at my age suitable now, I see what can support me. What can I do to be superior?”

Glover Teixeira was a leading training associate of MMA legend Chuck Liddell, left. Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Images)

TEIXEIRA Says HE is sensation much healthier bodily now than when he was supposedly in his athletic prime. He mentioned, 50 %-jokingly, that he could possibly even fight until eventually he is 50 a long time outdated, “like Bernard Hopkins.” That would be considerably to the chagrin of Ingrid, who has been by his aspect — possibly physically or emotionally, and usually both equally — around the program of this prolonged journey.

“He’s competitive,” she claimed. “But not for absolutely nothing, I are unable to choose many far more of these fights. I am obtaining more mature. I’m gonna have a heart assault. I can’t deal with it. When you happen to be more youthful, it can be good. You happen to be younger and you feel you might be indestructible. But after 35 or 40 or so — now we are each more than 40 — it is like ‘Oh my god, a little something could occur.’ So you start stressing a lot more. The sooner [he retires], the improved, as considerably as I’m anxious.”

Teixeira regarded retirement right after the Anderson battle, but determined to give it a person past operate, and he is experienced impressive final results. Just before Machida left Teixeira’s camp earlier this thirty day period, the ex-champ congratulated his pal for becoming “a fully different fighter.”

“I could see his toughness is nevertheless there,” Machida claimed. “His pace is continue to there. And also, he has the expertise, which is a large amount in favor of him.”

Teixeira has built comebacks to end 3 of his last 4 fights, most just lately a 3rd-round submission victory against knockout artist Thiago Santos in November 2020.

He also designed a significant comeback outside the house of the Octagon: He became an American citizen last 12 months.

It is a lengthy way from where he was 13 many years back, when people who stick to MMA closely lamented that Teixeira might have been wasting his peak many years in Brazil, not able to signal with the UFC.

Ingrid, although, stated she believes that her husband’s primary is this latest run. And there is certainly only a person factor remaining to execute, seven years soon after his to start with consider: successful the UFC light-weight heavyweight title.

“This time is us generating up for shed time, for guaranteed,” Ingrid explained. “I assume we’ve even mentioned that to each and every other several instances. He couldn’t do it then, so he is gonna do it now. Basic.”