Glover Teixeira on Rumble Fight: 'I've Never Been Hit That Hard Before'
Glover Teixeira on Rumble Fight: 'I've Never Been Hit That Hard Before'
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Glover Teixeira talks about his loss to Anthony Johnson and the road ahead.
Glover Teixeira lost his last fight in devastating fashion as the result of a 13-second knockout at the hands of Anthony Johnson. The UFC's third-ranked light heavyweight contender, though, doesn't think that the setback should raise too many questions regarding his abilities following the UFC 202 fight.
Known for the put-away power in his fists, Johnson doesn't encounter opposition who are willing to bang it out on the feet too often. Teixeira jumped head first into the fire and just so happened to pay the price for it.
"I get asked that a lot", Teixeira said. "But how often does someone win in 13 seconds? I know my potential, and I was not there to prove anything to anyone. My strength is my jiu-jitsu, but I also trust my wrestling and my striking abilities. I know my potential, but there wasn't enough time to prove it. The fights start standing, it's just the same thing that happened to (Jose) Aldo against (Conor) McGregor. There was no time (to show anything), this just happens sometimes."
Prior to joining the UFC, Teixeira had competed as high as heavyweight and stood across the cage from well-known names like Jon Jones, Phil Davis, and Quinton Jackson inside the Octagon. Still, he said that neither any of these fighters nor any of his own training partners carry the power that "Rumble" unleashed on him on August 20.
"To tell the truth, I've never been hit that hard before", Teixeira said. "It was the first time I was knocked out, this has never happened before. I've been knocked down in training, and my vision got a bit blurry. But not like this, never. He hits very hard and especially with these little gloves."
The 37-year-old Teixeira knows he has little time to waste. Though as of now nothing is set as far as his immediate future is concerned, he made it clear that he wants "to fight as much as possible." Teixeira suggested December or late January would be the perfect time frame for his return to the cage.
Until then, Teixeira is busy running his own academy. After training at renowned gyms like The Pit and American Top Team, the Brazilian recently opened up "Glover Teixeira Training Center" in Danbury, Connecticut. And despite critics claiming that such an environment--practicing without a host of top-tier training partners--might hurt ones's progress, Teixeira is convinced that being the sole focus on the mats is the right path for him in order to excel once the bright lights are switched on.
"Chuck [Liddell] did it, too", Teixeira said about his mentor and UFC Hall of Famer. "He trained in a small gym with no other UFC guys. And he was champion for several years. Training in a big gym has advantages and disadvantages. (But) it's great when you have a tight group that's always there for you no matter what."
A former UFC title challenger, Teixeira lost a fight against then-champion Jon Jones via decision in 2014. Since then, the owner of wins against the likes of Quinton Rampage, Ryan Bader, and Rashad Evans has gone 3-2 inside the Octagon.
By Ag.Fight via FloCombat
Don't miss breaking news, feature stories, event updates, and more. Sign up for the FloCombat mailing list today.
Known for the put-away power in his fists, Johnson doesn't encounter opposition who are willing to bang it out on the feet too often. Teixeira jumped head first into the fire and just so happened to pay the price for it.
"I get asked that a lot", Teixeira said. "But how often does someone win in 13 seconds? I know my potential, and I was not there to prove anything to anyone. My strength is my jiu-jitsu, but I also trust my wrestling and my striking abilities. I know my potential, but there wasn't enough time to prove it. The fights start standing, it's just the same thing that happened to (Jose) Aldo against (Conor) McGregor. There was no time (to show anything), this just happens sometimes."
Prior to joining the UFC, Teixeira had competed as high as heavyweight and stood across the cage from well-known names like Jon Jones, Phil Davis, and Quinton Jackson inside the Octagon. Still, he said that neither any of these fighters nor any of his own training partners carry the power that "Rumble" unleashed on him on August 20.
"To tell the truth, I've never been hit that hard before", Teixeira said. "It was the first time I was knocked out, this has never happened before. I've been knocked down in training, and my vision got a bit blurry. But not like this, never. He hits very hard and especially with these little gloves."
The 37-year-old Teixeira knows he has little time to waste. Though as of now nothing is set as far as his immediate future is concerned, he made it clear that he wants "to fight as much as possible." Teixeira suggested December or late January would be the perfect time frame for his return to the cage.
Until then, Teixeira is busy running his own academy. After training at renowned gyms like The Pit and American Top Team, the Brazilian recently opened up "Glover Teixeira Training Center" in Danbury, Connecticut. And despite critics claiming that such an environment--practicing without a host of top-tier training partners--might hurt ones's progress, Teixeira is convinced that being the sole focus on the mats is the right path for him in order to excel once the bright lights are switched on.
"Chuck [Liddell] did it, too", Teixeira said about his mentor and UFC Hall of Famer. "He trained in a small gym with no other UFC guys. And he was champion for several years. Training in a big gym has advantages and disadvantages. (But) it's great when you have a tight group that's always there for you no matter what."
A former UFC title challenger, Teixeira lost a fight against then-champion Jon Jones via decision in 2014. Since then, the owner of wins against the likes of Quinton Rampage, Ryan Bader, and Rashad Evans has gone 3-2 inside the Octagon.
By Ag.Fight via FloCombat
FloCombat's hottest content, delivered to your inbox
Don't miss breaking news, feature stories, event updates, and more. Sign up for the FloCombat mailing list today.