Virtually a yr after saying he had the itch to fight again, 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 Fighting in November 2023 that he was “very snug 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 longing for competitors.
“There’s nothing [booked], however I’ll undoubtedly return to competitors,” Teixeira mentioned in an interview with MMA Combating. “I preserve going after challenges. It’s arduous to remain [training] with no purpose why, so I’ll undoubtedly do one thing. I wish 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 towards Anthony Smith in June of 2023.
There have been discussions of perhaps returning to the mat earlier this yr towards Rafael Lovato Jr., at one of many UFC Struggle Go Invitational grappling reveals, however that didn’t materialize.
Teixeira was essential a part of three Pereira coaching camps this yr for profitable title defenses towards 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 provides in a number of sports activities — even the UFC.
“I’ll do some jiu-jitsu, I wanna do… I don’t know, perhaps boxing. And even return for some fights within the UFC,” Teixeira mentioned. “That’s acquired to be it as a result of it’s arduous, man. I’m feeling nice, preventing arduous with the blokes within the health club. 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, you must come again!’
“I’m coaching nicely, I’m feeling nicely. I like this. I’m not saying I wish to battle, however I wish to compete. If it’s jiu-jitsu, Lovato, guys like that. I wanna do some matches, that’s for certain.”
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 choice 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.
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