At UFC on ESPN+ 40, a pair of former UFC light-heavyweight title challengers meet in the main event. It’s a fight that could likely lead to the winner earning himself another crack at the belt.
Glover Teixeira is on a four-fight winning streak, which included a “Performance of the Night” in his last outing when he scored a fifth-round TKO of Anthony Smith. Thiago “Marreta” Santos had won four straight himself until he came up short at UFC 239 against Jon Jones. This fight was originally slated for the Sept. 12 fight card, but Teixeira tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). The date was moved to Oct. 4, but then it was Santos whose test came back positive. This caused the fight to be rescheduled for a second time. Now, it looks like the third time’s the charm, as fans will finally see these two square off inside the Octagon.
Glover Teixeira Open To Serving As Backup For Blachowicz vs. Adesanya Fight
Jan 7, 2021
Veteran, one-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Glover Teixeira may have been overlooked for the next 205-pound title shot by promotional brass, but that hasn’t deterred the Minas Gerais native from possibly offering his services as a short-notice backup.
Slated for UFC 259 in March, incumbent light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz puts his crown on the line as he battles division mover, current middleweight pacesetter, Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya in a champion vs. champion ‘superfight’.
The winner of a stunning five consecutively, 41-year-old striker, Teixeira was briefly linked to a title matchup with Blachowicz following his eventual showdown with Thiago ‘Marreta’ Santos at UFC Vegas 13 in November. Battling through a bout of COVID-19 to make the walk in a rescheduled pairing, Teixeira, the consensus underdog rallied from an opening-round scare to su
A light heavyweight championship matchup between incumbent best, Jan Blachowicz and current middleweight kingpin, Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya finally has a date nailed down.
According to tonight’s report from ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto via UFC president, Dana White – Blachowicz is slated to attempt the first defence of his throne as he draws Adesanya at UFC 259 on March 6 with a location or venue for the matchup still yet to be determined by the promotion.
Tonight’s announcement puts the brakes on recent big winner, Glover Teixeira’s hopes for an immediate title shot following his third-round rear-naked choke win over compatriot, Thiago ‘Marreta’ Santos earlier this year.