Former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira was supposed to fight for the 205-pound title at UFC 282, but he pulled out after his opponent, Jiri Prochazka, was forced out of the fight with a brutal shoulder injury. Now, Teixeira is set to face Jamahal Hill at UFC 283, a turn of events that Teixeira told MMA Underground that he is very happy with.
“I keep saying this to everybody. People stress for no reason. Everybody asks me if I got mad. Of course I got upset on the day that I found out I’m not going to fight for the title, but I said, ‘I’m not going to let this bother me. Let’s live life. I’m healthy, I’m happy, life is great. I’m fighting for the belt [against] one of the winners.’
Glover Teixeira Reacts to New Title Shot
Because that’s the thing, I deserve to be here. I work my ass off, I fight my ass off, and here I am. Let the universe take care of things and do the right thing. Keep focused on your goal and the universe will take care of the rest.”
Teixeira was on site at UFC 282, and saw the headliner, a light heavyweight title decider between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev, declared a draw.
“In my mind I was thinking the whole time, ‘This fight, turn around quick. The UFC needs a main event in Brazil. They might get one of those guys to fight in Brazil.’
Nobody said anything, but I was thinking that. But then it comes to the third round when Ankalaev had both legs hurt and Jan had a cut over his eye and I was like, ‘Okay, I guess Brazil is not going to happen.’ Then when I see Ankalaev winning the fight, I said, ‘Well, he’s going to win but it’s not going to be in Brazil.’ Then the craziness happens, that decision that nobody understood. But hey, like I said, let the universe take care of things. Glover, you’re fighting in Brazil. Let’s go!
They just called me backstage, I got there and talked to Hunter and Mickey and they asked me and I said, ‘Let’s go.’ Before they said the opponent. They said, ‘You want to fight in Brazil for the belt?’ I said, ‘Let’s go! Whoever.’”
Teixeira also praised his opponent, Jamahal Hill. “He’s an incredible guy. Tough, tough opponent. Very good fighter […]
Vacant title is still on the line, and that’s it. You can’t take something from a man when he earns it. The vacant title was my shot. [Now] I’ve got to do the work. The universe did it, now I’ve got to do my part and train my ass off and take the belt and make history.”
Will Glover Teixeira reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title? Let us know in the comments.
