Glover Teixeira Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Glover Teixeira

Teixeira at his training facility in 2019

Born

Glover Lucas Teixeira
28 October 1979 (age 45)
Sobrália, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Residence

Danbury, Connecticut, U.S.

Nationality

Brazilian
American

Height

6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)

Weight

205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)

Division

Light heavyweight

Reach

76 in (193 cm)

Style

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Fighting out of

Bethel, Connecticut, U.S.

Team

Teixeira MMA & Fitness

Trainer

Fernely Feliz Sr.
John Hackleman
Steve Mocco

Rank

8th degree black belt in Kajukenbo under John Hackleman
2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Luigi Mondelli

Years active

2002–2023

Mixed martial arts record

Total

Wins

By knockout

By submission

By decision

Losses

By knockout

By submission

By decision

Medal record

Men's Submission Wrestling

Representing Brazil
ADCC South American Championships
Gold	2009 Rio de Janeiro	-99kg
Silver	2011 Rio de Janeiro	-99kg

Glover Lucas Teixeira (born 28 October 1979) is a Brazilian-American former professional mixed martial artist. He used to compete in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He even became a UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Glover was also part of the Brazilian National Wrestling Team. He fought in other big events like WEC and Shooto. He is known for being the second oldest UFC champion ever. He is also the oldest person to win a UFC title for the very first time.

About Glover Teixeira
Glover's Fighting Journey
Glover's Activism
Glover's Achievements
Images for kids
See also

About Glover Teixeira

Glover Teixeira grew up in a small village called Sobrália in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Many homes there didn't have electricity. In 1999, he moved to Danbury, Connecticut in the U.S. to help his family. He found a job working in landscaping. There, he met his wife, Ingrid.

Glover was inspired by famous boxers like Mike Tyson. He also watched early mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters like Royce Gracie. He decided he wanted to become a fighter too. He learned about Brazilian jiu-jitsu by watching videos of early UFC fights. After long days of work, Glover trained in boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Later, a trainer named John Hackleman was impressed by Glover. He invited Glover to train at his gym in California, called The Pit. There, Glover trained with famous fighter Chuck Liddell. Today, Glover has his own gym, Teixeira MMA & Fitness, in Bethel, Connecticut. In November 2020, Glover became an American citizen. He said he was proud to represent both Brazil and America.

Glover's Fighting Journey

Glover Teixeira is highly skilled in martial arts. He earned an 8th Degree Hawaiian Kempo Black Belt. He also has a 2nd degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. He is also certified in CrossFit.

Joining the UFC

Glover signed with the UFC on 21 February 2012. He made his first UFC appearance on 26 May 2012 at UFC 146. He won his first fight quickly by making his opponent give up.

His next big fight was against Fábio Maldonado at UFC 153. Glover showed how strong he was. The fight was stopped by the doctor after two rounds because Glover was dominating. He then faced Quinton Jackson in January 2013. Glover won this fight by a unanimous decision. He showed great boxing and grappling skills.

Teixeira getting hands wrapped before a fight in 2019

Glover continued his winning streak. He defeated James Te Huna with a special move called a guillotine choke. This earned him the "Submission of the Night" award. He then fought Ryan Bader and won by TKO (Technical Knockout) in the first round. This win earned him a "Knockout of the Night" bonus. With these victories, Glover earned a chance to fight for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

Fighting for the Title

Glover faced Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on 26 April 2014. It was a tough fight, and Glover lost by a unanimous decision. After this, he lost another fight to Phil Davis.

Glover bounced back with a big win against Ovince Saint Preux in August 2015. He won by submission and earned a "Fight of the Night" bonus. He continued to win against Patrick Cummins and Rashad Evans. His knockout win over Rashad Evans earned him a "Performance of the Night" bonus.

In August 2016, Glover faced Anthony Johnson. He lost this fight by knockout very early in the first round. But Glover kept fighting. He won against Jared Cannonier and later against Misha Cirkunov.

He had a rematch with Alexander Gustafsson in May 2017. Glover lost this fight by knockout in the fifth round. However, their exciting fight earned them another "Fight of the Night" award.

Glover continued to face tough opponents. He won against Karl Roberson and Ion Cuțelaba by submission. These wins showed his strong grappling skills. He also won a close fight against Nikita Krylov. In May 2020, he defeated Anthony Smith by TKO.

Becoming a UFC Champion

Glover Teixeira with his UFC championship belt, 2021

Glover finally got another chance to fight for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. He faced Jan Błachowicz on 30 October 2021. Glover won the fight by making Błachowicz give up in the second round. This made him the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion! At 42 years old, he became the oldest first-time champion in UFC history. This amazing win also earned him a "Performance of the Night" award.

Glover then defended his title against Jiří Procházka on 11 June 2022. It was an incredibly close and exciting fight. Glover lost the title in the fifth round by submission. This fight was so good that it won the "Fight of the Night" award. Many people called it the "Fight of the Year."

A rematch was planned, but Procházka had to pull out due to injury. Glover then fought Jamahal Hill for the vacant title on 21 January 2023. Glover lost the fight by a unanimous decision. After this fight, Glover Teixeira announced his retirement from professional MMA. This fight also earned him a "Fight of the Night" award.

Glover's Activism

Glover Teixeira has used his fame to support important causes. In May 2013, he spoke to lawmakers in Connecticut. He wanted them to make Mixed Martial Arts legal and regulated in the state. He said he wished he could compete in his home state someday.

In November 2013, Glover attended the UFC: Fight for the Troops 3 event. This event helped raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. This fund supports injured military members and their families.

Teixeira and Reid in 2014

In February 2014, Glover visited the United States Capital. He met with Senators to support brain health research for fighters. This study looks at how combat sports affect the human brain. It helps make sports safer for athletes.

In October 2014, Glover joined the 'Pink Bra' tour. This tour raised money for breast cancer research and early detection. Glover said he was happy to help his community in Danbury.

In 2016, Glover received the "American Dream Leadership Award." He said that Danbury, Connecticut, helped him become the fighter he is. In 2022, Glover visited The Cure 4 The Kids Foundation. He brought toys and smiles to children during the holidays.

Glover's Achievements

Glover Teixeira achieved many great things in his career:

Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Performance of the Night (Four times)
- Knockout of the Night (One time)
- Submission of the Night (One time)
- Fight of the Night (Four times)
- He holds the record for most post-fight bonuses in UFC Light Heavyweight history (10).
- He has the most finishes (13) and most submissions (7) in UFC Light Heavyweight history.
- He is second in wins (16) and total fight time (4:25:06) in his division.
- He was named "Newcomer of the Year" by UFC.com in 2012.
- His fight against Jiří Procházka in 2022 was named "Fight of the Year" by UFC.com and other organizations.