Glover Teixeira has become the second oldest champion in UFC history after defeating Jan Blachowicz in the headline event at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi to capture the light-heavyweight title.
The Brazilian, who celebrated his 42nd birthday on Thursday in the capital, submitted the giant Pole in the second round in the early hours of Sunday, meaning only Randy Coutoure has landed a UFC belt at an older age. The American was 43 when he won the heavyweight crown in 2007.
Teixeira had once previously contest a championship bout at light-heavyweight, seven years ago, when he lost to Jon Jones.
On finally realising a lifetime dream, Teixeira said inside the octagon: “Twenty years baby. I’m breaking the rules, 42 years old. And I’m going to keep breaking the rules.”
On what message he would have for anyone who ever doubted themselves, Teixeira added: “Never give up on your dreams. No matter what people say, don’t listen to those negative people. Believe in yourself, keep going forward.”
“I’ve been in this octagon before. This is my house, I love this.”
Blachowicz, who won the title in Abu Dhabi 13 months ago, paid respect to the victor at the post-fight press conference.
“I wasn’t a champion today,” he said. “He was. He is. No excuses, everyone saw he beat me.”
Asked why he said he felt a little off coming into the octagon, Blachowicz added: “I don’t know. I need to take time to think about it, but for sure something was bad. It wasn’t me. I’m not a quitter, I will not go anywhere, I’m not a coward. I will come back. You’re going to see me in the octagon again.”
Both fighters came into the bout riding five-fight win streaks, and something was always going to give. Teixeira set up the rear naked choke that finished the contest with a sweet left hook.
“He’s three years older than me so I have some time to get this belt back, and that’s what I’d like to do in future,” Błachowicz said, before it was put to him if he would like a rematch.
“We’ll see what happens in future,” he said. “If there is a chance to take a rematch, of course I’d like to rematch everyone I’ve lost before.”
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Fans outside the arena during UFC 267 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 30, 2021. All Images Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Petr Yan won the UFC interim bantamweight title fight against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267in Abu Dhabi. -
UFC interim championship bantamweight bout between Cory Sandhagen (blue) and Petr Yan (red) at UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi -
UFC interim bantamweight title match between Cory Sandhagen (blue) and Petr Yan (red) at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. -
Glover Teixeira stunned Jan Błachowicz in their light heavyweight title match at UFC 267. -
Glover Teixeira submitted Jan Błachowicz for the UFC light heavyweight title. -
Light heavyweight title fight between Glover Teixeira (blue) and Jan Błachowicz (red). -
Glover Teixeira submitted Jan Błachowicz at UFC 267. -
Glover Teixeira (blue) overpowered Jan Błachowicz (red) at UFC 267. -
Emirati performers during UFC 267 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. -
Allan Nascimento lost to Tagir Ulanbekov (red) in the opening bout at UFC 267. -
Tagir Ulanbekov (red) after his flyweight win over Allan Nascimento. -
Khabib Nurmagomedov watches the flyweight bout between Allan Nascimento and Tagir Ulanbekov at the Etihad Arena. -
UFC flyweight bout between Allan Nascimento (blue) and Tagir Ulanbekov (red) at UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi -
Etihad crew members outside the Etihad Arena. -
Emirati performers during UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi. -
Lerone Murphy (blue) is tackled by Makwan Amirkhani (red) in their featherweight bout. -
Light heavyweight bout between Michał Oleksiejczuk (blue) and Shamil Gamzatov (red). -
Andre Petroski (blue) takes hold of Hu Yaozong (red) in their middleweight bout. -
Zubaira Tukhugov won his featherweight bout against Ricardo Ramos. -
Women's strawweight bout between Virna Jandiroba (blue) and Amanda Ribas. -
Zubaira Tukhugov after defeating Ricardo Ramos at the Etihad Arena. -
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos after winning his welterweight fight in Abu Dhabi. -
Michał Oleksiejczuk won the light heavyweight bout with Shamil Gamzatov. -
Roman Kopylov defends against and Albert Duraev (red). -
Khamzat Chimaev won in the first round against Li Jingliang. -
Khamzat Chimaev submitted Li Jingliang at the Etihad Arena. -
Khamzat Chimaev dominated on his UFC return. -
Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates Islam Makhachev's win over Dan Hooker. -
Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates Islam Makhachev's lightweight bout win over Dan Hooker. -
Heavyweight bout between Marcin Tybura (blue) and Alexander Volkov. -
Dan Hooker (blue) and Islam Makhachev (red) at UFC 267. -
Islam Makhachev (red) dominated Dan Hooker at UFC 267.
