Following Dana White’s recent statements, Glover Teixeira is seemingly confident that he’ll receive the next UFC light heavyweight title shot.
Until late last month, Teixeira was set to face then-UFC light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka, in their much-awaited rematch at UFC 282 on December 10.
However, Prochazka suffered a shoulder injury and vacated the title. ‘BJP’ is expected to be out of action for a year or more. Besides, a light heavyweight bout between former champion Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev has also been booked for UFC 282.
The UFC subsequently tried to book Teixeira against Ankalaev at UFC 282 for the vacant light heavyweight title, a fight Teixeira declined. The UFC resultantly scheduled Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev for the vacant title at UFC 282.
Also on Paddy Pimblett’s Chattin Pony podcast, UFC president Dana White suggested that Teixeira would likely face the Blachowicz-Ankalaev winner for the title next. White said:
“100%. Yeah. The fight was offered to Glover. He didn’t want to take the fight. There will probably be two fights before Jiri comes back, so it would be Glover [as the number one contender].”
Watch White address the topic at 3:39 in the video below:
In his latest interview with The Schmo, Glover Teixeira was asked whether the UFC has confirmed that he’ll get the next title shot. Teixeira responded by referencing White’s assertions and said:
“Oh, Dana [White] posted something yesterday. A hundred percent next. And yeah, man, you know, that’s — If you think about it, Jiri is not coming back for another year. You know, I’m the next guy. There’s no one. There’s no doubt about it.”
Watch Teixeira discuss the topic at 2:44 in the video below:
Sean O’Malley questions Glover Teixeira’s decision to postpone his title shot
Glover Teixeira turned down the Magomed Ankalaev matchup as he wanted more time to prepare for the different stylistic challenge Ankalaev presented. On that note, certain sections of the MMA community questioned the veteran fighter’s decision to decline the UFC 282 title matchup. One of the most prominent voices among them was Sean O’Malley.
The UFC bantamweight indicated that the 43-year-old Glover Teixeira is nearing the end of his career and may have made a mistake by postponing his title shot and losing precious time.
‘Sugar’ insinuated that Teixeira was probably dealing with a few issues heading into UFC 282 and would’ve preferred not to fight at the event anyway. On the Timbo Sugarshow podcast, O’Malley stated:
“Yeah, but you’re only getting older. So you wait for Jiri or you wait for the winner of that [Ankalaev versus Jan Blachowicz] and then it’s that guy that wins.”
Watch O’Malley’s assessment at 1:04:33 in the video below:
