Teixeira is originally from the rural community of Sobrália, Minas Gerais, Brazil and is of Portuguese descent. There was no electricity in many of the homes in his community, and there was only one gas station. He moved to Danbury, Connecticut in 1999 to help support his family and found a job in landscaping. It was there that he met his wife, Ingrid.
After working 10 to 12-hour days landscaping, Teixeira did boxing training at Hat City Boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at American Top Team Connecticut. John Hackleman, who had trained a fighter who fought Teixeira and was impressed by the young Brazilian, invited Teixeira to his gym in California, The Pit, where Teixeira began training with Chuck Liddell.[6] Teixeira now trains and instructs at his own gym Teixeira MMA & Fitness in Bethel, Connecticut.[7]
In November 2020, Teixeira became an American citizen. "I'm so proud today because I’m officially an American Citizen. Now I’m very proud to represent both Brazil & America," said Teixeira.[8]
Mixed martial arts career
Teixeira earned his 8th Degree Hawaiian Kempo Black Belt under Hackleman, owner of The Pit Martial Arts; he earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsublack belt under Luigi Mondelli,[5] head coach at American Top Team Connecticut, and earned his Vale Tudo black belt under Marco Ruas of Ruas Vale Tudo. Teixeira is also CrossFit certified.[9]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On 21 February 2012, it was announced that Teixeira had signed a deal with the UFC and would make his debut in early summer 2012.[10]
Teixeira debuted in the UFC on 26 May 2012 at UFC 146, facing Kyle Kingsbury. After a quick exchange, Teixeira won by submission at 1:53 of the first round.[11]
Teixeira was expected to face former UFC Light Heavyweight ChampionQuinton Jackson on 13 October 2012 at UFC 153.[12] However, Jackson pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Fábio Maldonado.[13] Teixeira dominated Maldonado throughout the fight, resulting in the doctor stopping the fight at the end of round two.
Teixeira and Quinton Jackson took place on 26 January 2013 at UFC on Fox 6. Teixeira outboxed Jackson and scored a knockdown in round 1. He also outwrestled Jackson and used his jiu-jitsu to dominate him on the ground, proceeding to a unanimous decision 30–27 (twice) and 29–28 win.[14]
Teixeira getting hands wrapped before a fight in 2019
Teixeira was expected to face Ryan Bader on 25 May 2013 at UFC 160.[15] However, Bader withdrew from the bout citing an injury and was replaced by James Te Huna.[16] Teixeira won by submission with a guillotine choke in the first round. The performance earned Teixeira Submission of the Night honors.
The bout with Bader eventually took place on 4 September 2013 as the main event at UFC Fight Night 28.[17] Teixeira won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win also earned Teixeira his first Knockout of the Night bonus award.[18] With the victory, Teixeira earned an opportunity at the UFC Light Heavyweight title.[19]
Zuffa initially announced Teixeira would face Jon Jones on 1 February 2014 at UFC 169.[20] However, on 7 October, Dana White said the announcement for this fight on that card was premature and that Jones and Teixeira would face each other on a different card.[21] The bout with Jones was expected to take place on 22 February 2014 at UFC 170.[22] Jones and Teixeira eventually took place on 26 April 2014 at UFC 172.[23] Teixeira lost the bout via unanimous decision.[24]
Teixeira faced Phil Davis on 22 October 2014 at UFC 179.[25] Teixeira lost the fight via unanimous decision.[26]
Teixeira was expected to face Rashad Evans on 22 February 2015 at UFC Fight Night 61.[27] However, on 7 January, Teixeira pulled out of the bout citing a knee injury that he had sustained in his last fight.[28]
Teixeira was expected to face Alexander Gustafsson on 20 June 2015 at UFC Fight Night 69.[29] However, it was announced on 1 May that Gustafsson had been removed from the card due to injury.[30]
Teixeira faced Ovince Saint Preux on 8 August 2015 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 73.[31] Teixeira won via submission in the third round.[32] He was also awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[33]
Teixeira faced Rashad Evans on 16 April 2016 at UFC on Fox 19.[36] He won the fight via knockout in the first round[37] and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[38]
Teixeira was expected to face Anthony Johnson on 23 July 2016 at UFC on Fox 20. However, Johnson pulled out of the bout to tend to personal issues.[39] The bout was rescheduled and eventually took place at UFC 202.[40] Johnson defeated Teixeira by knockout in the opening seconds of the fight.[41]
A rescheduled fight with Alexander Gustafsson took place on 28 May 2017 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 109.[44] Teixeira lost the fight via knockout in the fifth round.[45] Despite the loss, the bout earned Teixeira his second Fight of the Night bonus award.[46]
Teixeira was scheduled to face Misha Cirkunov on 28 October 2017 at UFC Fight Night 119.[47] However, the pairing was delayed after a recent hand surgery for Teixeira was slow to heal and the bout eventually took place on 16 December 2017 at UFC on Fox 26.[48] Teixeira won the fight via TKO in the first round.[49]
Teixeira was expected to face Ilir Latifi on 22 July 2018 at UFC Fight Night 134.[52] However, on 5 July 2018, it was announced that Latifi was pulled from the event, citing injury.[53] Latifi was replaced by Corey Anderson.[54] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[55]
Teixeira was expected to face Jimi Manuwa on 22 September 2018 at UFC Fight Night 137.[56] However, Teixeira suffered an injury in August and was removed from the match-up.[57]
Teixeira was scheduled to face Ion Cuțelaba on 19 January 2019 at UFC Fight Night 143.[58] However, on 10 January 2019, Cuțelaba was pulled out of the bout due to injury. After seeking a replacement for Cuțelaba,[59] the UFC announced that Karl Roberson was stepping up to face Teixeira.[60] Teixeira defeated Roberson by submission via arm triangle choke in the first round.[61]
Teixeira eventually faced Cuțelaba at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson on 27 April 2019.[62] He won the fight via submission via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. The win also earned Teixeira his second Performance of the Night bonus award.[63]
Teixeira was scheduled to face Thiago Santos on 12 September 2020 at UFC Fight Night 177.[70] However, due to Teixeira testing positive for COVID-19 a week prior to the bout, the pair was rescheduled to fight on 4 October 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana.[71] In turn, on 15 September, the bout was postponed again as Santos also tested positive for the virus.[72] The pairing with Santos eventually took place on 7 November 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira.[73] Teixeira won the fight via a submission in round three.[74]
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Glover Teixeira with his UFC championship belt, 2021
Teixeira was scheduled to defend his title against Jiří Procházka on 7 May 2022 at UFC 274.[80] However, the bout was postponed on 11 June at UFC 275 for unknown reasons.[81] After a back and forth battle, Teixeira lost the fight and title via rear-naked choke submission in the fifth round.[82] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[83]
The rematch between Procházka and Teixeira was scheduled on 10 December 2022, at UFC 282.[84] However, on 23 November, Procházka pulled out due to a shoulder injury that will require surgery and at least six months of rehabilitation. He decided to vacate the title, and Teixeira subsequently refused a replacement fight against Magomed Ankalaev. Therefore, the co-main event bout between former champion Jan Błachowicz and Ankalaev was promoted to the main event status and arranged for the vacant championship.[85][86][87]
With the title staying vacant due to a draw, Teixeira faced Jamahal Hill on 21 January 2023, at UFC 283, for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.[88] He lost the bout via unanimous decision after being outstruck for five rounds and announced his retirement during the post-fight interview.[89] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[90]
Professional grappling career
Glover competed against Anthony Smith in the co-main event of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 on 29 June 2023.[91] He won the match by decision.[92]
Activism
In May 2013, Teixeira had prepared testimony and spoke before the Members of the Connecticut General Assembly Public Safety and Security Committee. Teixeira spoke in hopes of encouraging their vote to legalize and regulate Mixed Martial Arts in Connecticut. Teixeira ended his testimony by stating, "Having been in Connecticut since 1999, I can tell you that MMA is a very popular sport here as it is all over the world. Ironically, I can sit in my living room in Danbury and watch MMA on television. I can buy it on Pay-Per-View. I can watch it in restaurants and bars across Connecticut. I can go to Mixed Martial Arts gyms throughout the state and train to compete in MMA. And I can attend live events in nearby and at the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casinos. But I cannot participate in a supervised and regulated live event here in Connecticut. In conclusion, I would just add that I would love to have the opportunity to participate in an event someday here in my home state of Connecticut."[93]
In November 2013, Teixeira attended the UFC: Fight for the Troops 3. This event was the fourth that the UFC had hosted in cooperation with a military base to support the military. It helps raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides support for severely wounded military personnel and veterans and the families of military personnel lost in service.[94] The first event reportedly raised $4 million during its three-hour broadcast.[95]
Teixeira and Reid in 2014
In February 2014, Teixeira went to the United States Capital and met with Senators John McCain and Harry Reid to support the continued research of the Cleveland Clinic's Lou Ruvo Center study of brain health. This landmark study is designed to look at the effects of combat sports on the human brain of professional fighters. This will continue the commitment to athlete safety and benefit athletes from many other sports. Also in attendance was UFC fighter Jon Jones, Chairman and CEO of The UFCLorenzo Fertitta, SpikeTV President Kevin Kay, Top Rank President Todd duBoef, & Bernard Hopkins representing Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer.[96][97]
In October 2014, Teixeira was a part of the 'Pink Bra' tour to raise money for early detection and prevention of breast cancer and breast cancer research. Danbury was one of 10 locations for 'Barbells for Boobs' on its 10-stop nationwide tour. "This is a good cause and I love it. I've lived in Danbury for the past 15 years, and anyway I can help I'm glad to," said Teixeira.
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In 2016, the New American Dream Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of the Tribuna CT Newspaper, recognized Teixeira with the "2016 American Dream Leadership Award". "I didn’t put Danbury on the map. Danbury put me on the map. Danbury gave me the opportunity to train and become the fighter I am today," he said in his acceptance speech.[citation needed]
In 2022, Teixeira visited The Cure 4 The Kids Foundation to provide toys, inspiration and smiles during the holiday season. Along with other members of the UFC, Teixeira toured the facility, signed autographs, distributed Big Shots and joined members in a jumping jack and push up contest during the meet and greet.
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