Glover Teixeira

Glover Lucas Teixeira (born 28 October 1979) is a Brazilian-American retired professional mixed martial artist.

He competed in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Teixeira is a former member of the Brazilian National Wrestling Team and has competed in the WEC, Impact FC, PFC and Shooto.

He is the second oldest UFC champion in history behind Randy Couture and the oldest first time champion in UFC history.

Teixeira is originally from the rural community of Sobrália, Minas Gerais, Brazil and is of Portuguese descent.

There was no electricity in many of the homes in his community, and there was only one gas station.

He moved to Danbury, Connecticut in 1999 to help support his family and found a job in landscaping.

It was there that he met his wife, Ingrid.

After watching boxers such as Mike Tyson and the early mixed martial arts fighters such as UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie and Chuck Liddell compete, Teixeira decided that he wanted to follow the same path.

He had never heard of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but was able to find and watch videos of UFC 1 and UFC 2, which featured Royce Gracie.

After working 10 to 12-hour days landscaping, Teixeira did boxing training at Hat City Boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at American Top Team Connecticut.

John Hackleman, who had trained a fighter who fought Teixeira and was impressed by the young Brazilian, invited Teixeira to his gym in California, The Pit, where Teixeira began training with Chuck Liddell.

Teixeira now trains and instructs at his own gym Teixeira MMA & Fitness in Bethel, Connecticut.

On 21 February 2012, it was announced that Teixeira had signed a deal with the UFC and would make his debut in early summer 2012.

Teixeira debuted in the UFC on 26 May 2012 at UFC 146, facing Kyle Kingsbury.

After a quick exchange, Teixeira won by submission at 1:53 of the first round.

Teixeira was expected to face former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson on 13 October 2012 at UFC 153.

However, Jackson pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Fábio Maldonado.

Teixeira dominated Maldonado throughout the fight, resulting in the doctor stopping the fight at the end of round two.

Teixeira and Quinton Jackson took place on 26 January 2013 at UFC on Fox 6.

Teixeira outboxed Jackson and scored a knockdown in round 1.

He also outwrestled Jackson and used his jiu-jitsu to dominate him on the ground, proceeding to a unanimous decision 30–27 (twice) and 29–28 win.

Teixeira was expected to face Ryan Bader on 25 May 2013 at UFC 160.

However, Bader withdrew from the bout citing an injury and was replaced by James Te Huna.

Teixeira won by submission with a guillotine choke in the first round.

The performance earned Teixeira Submission of the Night honors.

The bout with Bader eventually took place on 4 September 2013 as the main event at UFC Fight Night 28.

Teixeira won the fight via TKO in the first round.

The win also earned Teixeira his first Knockout of the Night bonus award.

With the victory, Teixeira earned an opportunity at the UFC Light Heavyweight title.

Zuffa initially announced Teixeira would face Jon Jones on 1 February 2014 at UFC 169.

However, on 7 October, Dana White said the announcement for this fight on that card was premature and that Jones and Teixeira would face each other on a different card.

The bout with Jones was expected to take place on 22 February 2014 at UFC 170.

Jones and Teixeira eventually took place on 26 April 2014 at UFC 172.

Teixeira lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Teixeira faced Phil Davis on 22 October 2014 at UFC 179.

In November 2020, Teixeira became an American citizen.

"I'm so proud today because I’m officially an American Citizen. Now I’m very proud to represent both Brazil & America," said Teixeira.

Teixeira earned his 8th Degree Hawaiian Kempo Black Belt under Hackleman, owner of The Pit Martial Arts; he earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Luigi Mondelli, head coach at American Top Team Connecticut, and earned his Vale Tudo black belt under Marco Ruas of Ruas Vale Tudo.

Teixeira is also CrossFit certified.