‘I’m breaking the rules’: Teixeira speaks of bloodlust as he becomes 2nd-oldest UFC champ... while foe rues ‘Polish power’ failure
Brazilian-American UFC veteran Glover Teixeira declared he is inspired by the sight of blood on the canvas after producing a stunning upset to become the UFC's oldest first-time champion.
In the headline bout of an action-packed UFC 267 card in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 42-year-old Teixeira started as a heavy underdog as he challenged Jan Blachowicz, the feared Pole and winner of his previous five fights.
Nine years after his UFC debut and seven since his previous shot at the title, when he lost to Jon Jones on a unanimous decision at UFC 172, Teixeira looked the stronger fighter from the outset.
The irrepressible veteran took Blachowicz to ground in a successful first round, then weathered shots before downing his opponent again on the way to a shock second-round victory via rear-naked choke.
"Twenty years, baby," Teixeira said afterwards, sounding somewhat surprised himself at the Etihad Arena.
"I have no words to describe it. I'm breaking the rules at 42 years old and I'm going to keep breaking those rules. I love this – this is my house. I look at the blood [on the canvas]."
Blachowicz and Teixeira had traded words of respect in the build-up to the fight, and the winner reiterated his admiration for his opponent following his victory.
"He is a tremendous champion," said Teixeira. "A great champion. He beat everybody to get here. He is a hardworking man, I love this man. He has my respect forever."
The dethroned title holder was succinctly scathing of his performance. "Everything was wrong with me," he admitted.
"But this is not the end of the story, this book is not closed. I am not a quitter and I will come back, for sure."
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