Virtually a yr after saying he had the itch to battle once more, however would keep retired, Glover Teixeira now leaves the door open for a possible return to the octagon.
The previous UFC mild heavyweight champion instructed MMA Preventing in November 2023 that he was “very comfy the place I’m at proper now” as MMA coach and retired fighter, however being round so many nice athletes — and sharing the mat with the likes of UFC champion Alex Pereira every day — has him as soon as once more anticipating competitors.
“There’s nothing [booked], however I’ll undoubtedly return to competitors,” Teixeira stated in an interview with MMA Preventing. “I hold going after challenges. It’s laborious to remain [training] with no purpose why, so I’ll undoubtedly do one thing. I need to compete.”
Teixeira retired from the game in January of 2023 after shedding again to again UFC title fights to Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill, and received a grappling match in opposition to Anthony Smith in June of 2023.
There have been discussions of possibly returning to the mat earlier this yr in opposition to Rafael Lovato Jr., at one of many UFC Battle Move Invitational grappling exhibits, however that didn’t materialize.
Teixeira was essential a part of three Pereira coaching camps this yr for profitable title defenses in opposition to Hill, Prochazka and most not too long ago Khalil Rountree at UFC 307, and the Brazilian veteran, who turns 45 lates this month, is open to presents in a number of sports activities — even the UFC.
“I’ll do some jiu-jitsu, I wanna do… I don’t know, possibly boxing. And even return for some fights within the UFC,” Teixeira stated. “That’s bought to be it as a result of it’s laborious, man. I’m feeling nice, preventing laborious with the blokes within the gymnasium. I’ve rolled with some wrestlers, coaching with Sean Strickland and ‘Poatan’. I used to be doing a little mild sparring with ‘Poatan’ the opposite day, and he’s like, ‘F*ck, Glover, it’s important to come again!’
“I’m coaching nicely, I’m feeling nicely. I really like this. I’m not saying I need to battle, however I need to compete. If it’s jiu-jitsu, Lovato, guys like that. I wanna do some matches, that’s for positive.”
Teixeira fought professionally 42 occasions between 2002 and 2023, racking up a report of 33-9 with key UFC wins over the likes of Jan Blachowicz, Rashad Evans, Ryan Bader, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Anthony Smith and Jared Cannonier. Teixeira got here up quick in his first UFC title battle in 2014, shedding a call to Jon Jones, earlier than lastly conquering gold seven years later to develop into the oldest first-time champion in promotion historical past at age 42.
