Glover Teixeira reveals journey from Jon Jones title loss to UFC world title

Glover Teixeira has explained how he used his title loss to Jon Jones as motivation to bounce back and become UFC champion.

Last October, at the age of 42, Glover Teixeira became the oldest first-time champion in UFC history when he submitted Jan Blachowicz on Fight Island.

It was the kind of result that reminded the masses of a very important fact: mixed martial arts is a crazy sport and quite literally anything can happen.

The Brazilian sensation first fought for the gold back in April 2014 when he came up on the losing end against the greatest light heavyweight of all-time Jon Jones. He proceeded to go on a 5-4 run that had many wondering whether or not he was still a genuine title contender, but from 2019 onwards, something changed.

He went on a remarkable 5-0 run with triumphs over the likes of Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos to land him at the front door of another title shot. Now that he’s the champ, Teixeira has no problem offering some advice to other fighters who may be going through hard times.

“I lost to Jon Jones and then I heard some people say, maybe he’s not gonna make it, you know? I said ‘it’s not over yet’.

“Seven years after I fought Jon Jones, I fought [and won] the belt.”

“I had a strong mind and a strong heart, and I always believed that I could be champion, and that’s what I did.”

Teixeira went on to explain how he’s been able to maintain his consistency despite his advanced age.

“I’m 42 years old and I’m not getting hurt. I’m always resting, I’m always doing jiu-jitsu, and I’m going at it.

“I’m always in shape. I will be ready for Jiri Prochazka.”

This Saturday night at UFC 275 in Singapore, Glover Teixeria will defend the 205-pound belt for the very first time.

He’ll be doing so against the