“Best Glover ever” – Jan Blachowicz says he is not taking Glover Teixeira lightly

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4 years ago

Jan Blachowicz with the UFC light heavyweight belt. (imago Images)

Jan Blachowicz defends his light-heavyweight belt for the second time, against Glover Teixeira at UFC 266

Just 15 months ago, Jan Blachowicz wouldn’t have thought he would become the light-heavyweight champion the same year.

However, luck and hard work were on his side, as the then light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones relinquished his belt in a bid to move to the heavyweight division.

Jan Blachowicz of Poland punches Dominick Reyes in their light heavyweight championship bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Just a few months before Jones renounced his title, Blachowicz had beaten Corey Anderson at UFC Fight Night in February 2020. That win saw him fight for the vacant LHW belt against Dominick Reyes, and boy did Blachowicz win it in style.

With a second round knockout ‘Super Jan’ found himself wrapped with the LHW belt. Since then, he has defended his belt once, against the previously undefeated Israel Adesanya.

Blachowicz handed Adesanya his first ever loss, at UFC 259, and spoiled the middleweight king’s quest to become a double champ.

And now, the Pole is set to defend his title against the super-experienced but ageing Glover Teixeira. The Brazilian is 41-years old, and is currently the number 1 ranked light-heavyweight contender.

In an interview with John Gooden of the UFC, Blachowicz stated that he was not taking Teixeira lightly. The Pole acknowledged the veteran light-heavyweight’s skillsets, but was still confident that he would finish him.

Blachowicz was quoted as saying:

“So I have to be ready for the best Glover ever in his life, and I will be ready. Good boxing, really good takedowns, jiu-jitsu high level. So, tough opponent, he’s got a lot of experience, so I just have to be careful. But I think I find a way like always to beat him and knock him out and finish the fight before time.” [via MMA Junkie]

Glover Teixeira is riding a 5-fight win streak

Between August 2016 and July 2018, Teixeira had a rough time in the UFC. He won just 2 and lost 3 fights. Standing at the crossroads, he then made a resounding comeback.

Glover Teixeira (L) of Brazil punches Thiago Santos of Brazil in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Since then, Teixeira has gone on to win all of his next five fights. An impressive win streak of 5, that includes wins over Thiago Santos, Anthony Smith and others.

Quite impressive for a man way past his prime, or is he just entering his prime?