– Glover Teixeira can stun the MMA world and become UFC light heavyweight champion if he can take the belt away from Jon Jones Saturday night at UFC 172. Despite a 20-fight win streak, including the last five inside the Octagon, the 34-year-old Brazilian is a 5-to-1 underdog.
“It’s part of the game,” said Teixeira, in an interview on UFC Tonight earlier this week that you can watch in the video above. “After my fight with (Ryan) Bader, there was talk about me and Jon fighting, and look at what happened to that fight. That was was really close to getting made. I feel really confident that I’m going to take the belt on Saturday night.”
Most felt Jones would sign on for an immediate rematch with Alexander Gustafsson after the two went five rounds last year. “Bones” earned a decision victory, but it was hotly-contested if the final verdict should have went to the challenger. Teixeira plans on making Jones regret accepting him as his next opponent, and has a game plan in action to do it.
“Yes, he will (regret fighting me),” he said. “I’ll keep it aggressive. I’ll keep the pressure on. I’ve got good wrestling. I’m confident in my power. I know if I touch him a couple of times, he’s going to go down.”
– Phil Davis can position himself one step closer to a future title shot if he can deny the returning Anthony Johnson in the co-main event of UFC 172 Saturday night. However, “Mr. Wonderful” remains more keen on talking about Jon Jones, instead of his opponent.
During a recent edition of “UFC Tonight,” Davis stated that – despite the bout being just days away – he still feels like the UFC light heavyweight champion might find an excuse to pull out of his main event bout with Glover Teixeira.
“There’s four days (at the time of the interview) before the fight and there’s a good chance that Jon won’t make it to the fight,” Davis said. “I’m not saying that he’s going to get hurt, but something might happen and he might pull out of this fight.”
Davis isn’t putting the pressure of competing for the title on either himself or the UFC, but he does believe it’s the right time to lead the division.
“It’s now now or never,” he stated. “I have plenty of years left in this game. I’d much prefer now. Give it to me now and let me beat up guys with that title for a long time.”
– While Phil Davis, Daniel Cormier, Dan Henderson and others fight to become the No. 1 contender at light heavyweight, Alexander Gustafsson is locked into that spot. Gustafsson, who defeated Jimi Manuwa earlier this year, will meet the winner of Jon Jones-Glover Teixeira later this year.
With his next opponent – whether it be Jones or Teixeira – in action Saturday at UFC 172, will “The Mauler” be in attendance at the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore? According to a report from “UFC Tonight,” no. Instead, Gustafsson will watch the title-fight from his home in Sweden.
Last year, Gustafsson went the distance with Jones, failing in his bid to become UFC champion. He feels it will be a rematch for the title later this year, picking “Bones” to defeat Teixeira thanks to his range, adding that he’s “looking forward to the rematch.”
