Glover Teixeira defeats Jan Blachowicz to win the light heavyweight championship.
Teixeira has made a new milestone by defeating reigning champion Jan Blachowicz in the main event at the Etihad Arena, becoming the oldest fighter to win a UFC title for the first time.
Teixeira’s victory came in his second shot at the title, after losing to Jon Jones in a unanimous decision loss at UFC 172 in 2014.
Seven years later, the Brazilian fighter from the United States returned to the world championship stage and completed a stunning career comeback by submitting Blachowicz in the second round with a rear-naked choke, sparking wild celebrations in the octagon.
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Teixeira overpowered Poland’s Blachowicz on the mat throughout the match.
With Blachowicz appearing unable to counter Teixeira’s wrestling, the Brazilian slid into mount, flattened the champion, and locked in a rear-naked choke to claim his 33rd victory in 19 years of professional MMA, making him the second-oldest UFC champion in history.
Teixeira claimed after the championship belt was wrapped around his waist that by winning his first title in his 40s, he defied popular belief about the capacity of older athletes to compete at the highest level.
He explained, “We were talking about Dana [White] today, how he advertises the UFC, how he breaks the rules, and that’s why the UFC is what it is.”
“I’m 42 years old and I’m breaking the rules,” she says.
