Glover Teixeira is obviously thrilled with the sudden turn of events this past weekend.
At UFC 282, Teixeira was supposed to rematch Jiri Prochazka for the light heavyweight title, but when Prochazka suffered a serious shoulder injury and vacated the title, things went awry. Teixeira turned down a late notice change of opponent to Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant belt and so the UFC instead passed him over, instead having Ankalaev face Jan Blachowicz for the title. But then Blachowicz and Ankalaev fought to a split draw, leaving the belt vacant, and so immediately afterwards, UFC President Dana White announced that Teixeira would instead face Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 283 for the belt. And of course, Teixeira is quite happy with his good fortune.
“I keep saying this to everybody: People stress for no reason,” Teixeira told MMA Underground. “Everybody asks me if I got mad. Of course I got upset on the day that I found out I’m not going to fight for the title, but I said, ‘I’m not going to let this bother me. Let’s live life. I’m healthy, I’m happy, life is great. I’m fighting for the belt [against] one of the winners.’ Because that’s the thing, I deserve to be here. I work my ass off, I fight my ass off, and here I am. Let the universe take care of things and do the right thing. Keep focused on your goal and the universe will take care of the rest.”
Teixeira happened to be on site for the UFC 282 craziness, attending the event as he was expected to face the winner of the fight sometime next year. Teixeira says that right up until the fight, he was holding out hope that someone would win quickly so they could make a quick turnaround to face him in Brazil at UFC 283, but he had to abandon that thought as the fight unfolded.
“In my mind I was thinking the whole time, ‘This fight, turn around quick. The UFC needs a main event in Brazil. They might get one of those guys to fight in Brazil,’” Teixeira said. “Nobody said anything, but I was thinking that. But then it comes to the third round when Ankalaev had both legs hurt and Jan had a cut over his eye and I was like, ‘Okay, I guess Brazil is not going to happen.’ Then when I see Ankalaev winning the fight, I said, ‘Well, he’s going to win but it’s not going to be in Brazil.’ Then the craziness happens, that decision that nobody understood. But hey, like I said, let the universe take care of things. Glover, you’re fighting in Brazil. Let’s go!…
“They just called me backstage, I got there and talked to Hunter and Mickey and they asked me and I said, ‘Let’s go.’ Before they said the opponent. They said, ‘You want to fight in Brazil for the belt?’ I said, ‘Let’s go! Whoever.’”
The sudden pivot caught nearly everyone off guard, particularly since at the time Hill was scheduled to fight Anthony Smith in March, and presents a very serious threat to Teixeira. Hill is 11-1 in his MMA career and currently riding a three-fight win streak, all by way of knockout. But Teixeira says that when the universe hands you lemons, you make lemonade, and that’s exactly what he plans to do.
“He’s an incredible guy. Tough, tough opponent. Very good fighter,” Teixeira said. “I’m just excited to be training for this, training to get the belt back, prove I’m the best in the world. That’s what I’m here for. I’m very excited. I just want to go out there and fight the best. I wish we had a winner in this fight, but let’s go. Vacant title is still on the line, and that’s it. You can’t take something from a man when he earns it. The vacant title was my shot. [Now] I’ve got to do the work. The universe did it, now I’ve got to do my part and train my ass off and take the belt and make history.”
UFC 283 takes place Jan. 21 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro
TOP STORIES
Results. Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev ends in a draw, Paddy Pimblett escapes with a win at UFC 282.
Dislike. Dana White rips ‘terrible’ UFC 282 main event between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev.
Reaction. Dana White: Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill will fight for vacant title at UFC 283.
Confused. Paddy Pimblett ‘baffled’ at UFC 282 robbery calls: ‘I think that’s just because people hate me.’
Robbery. Jared Gordon reacts to controversial loss to Paddy Pimblett: ‘I was robbed.’
Angry. Magomed Ankalaev clarifies post-fight mistranslation, frustration not directed at UFC: ‘The judges were horrible.’
VIDEO STEW
UFC 282 Post Show.
UFC 282 Post Fight Press Conference.
Paddy Pimblett meeting Jared Gordon after the fight.
Daniel Cormier’s reaction to UFC 282.
Israel Adesanya reacts to UFC 282.
Cooking with Volk.
LISTEN UP
On To The Next One. Matches to make following UFC 282.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Jan Blachowicz’s reaction.
Let me reiterate something. First – I honestly don’t think the fight was terrible at all. Second – I don’t feel I’ve won but neither that I lost. A draw was fair. 1/2
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) December 12, 2022
End result – One dude cried and talked about his supposed injuries, another dude showed that honor can be and still is upheld in this game. I’m glad the fans see it and appreciate it for what it is.
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) December 12, 2022
Darren Till’s reaction to his loss.
Justin Gaethje.
This makes the barstool guys look really bad. Just bending over for the lad. Fight of the night? Barstool can give him 50k but that performance will never get you a bonus in the octagon. https://t.co/VCmn8djZS0
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) December 11, 2022
People are telling me @Justin_Gaethje was recently seen hanging out with a warlord accused of brutal crimes against humanity so its hypocritical for him to say we look bad for supporting Paddy when he supports a warlord. I’m gonna take high road + not mention it. #daveyhighroad https://t.co/TiuBhAnnrp
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) December 11, 2022
That’s an outright lie and slander. #davesabitch
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) December 12, 2022
Never met the guy. Go Fuck yourself
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) December 12, 2022
That was fun.
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) December 12, 2022
Other reactions.
This guy is so full of shit. One minute he’s pissed and cares that people think he loss that fight. Next minute everyone are idiots and he couldn’t careless. Pick a side and stick to it you flake. https://t.co/oVo8POEP8H
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) December 12, 2022
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) December 11, 2022
I’m going to ask every commission out there not to have Douglas Crosby as judge, and I would like the support of all promotions these guy are ruining people life and ruining the sport enough is enough we have to stand together on this topic @bokamotoESPN @JohnMorgan_MMA
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) December 11, 2022
Chris Curtis.
Ugh… woke up, body definitely feels like I was in a fist fight with a sledgehammer. Guys I don’t think people truly understand how many punches I catch on my arms and shoulders. My face is untouched. Feels perfect. My arms feel like I got riverdanced on by Hella midgets…
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) December 11, 2022
Callout.
Looks like Matt Schnell is free for the March welcome to London @ufc
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) December 12, 2022
Jake Paul.
UFA (United Fighters Association) update:
1) Working with a law firm that specializes in labor & employment law.
2) Identifying key current & previous fighters to lead the interim board.
3) Logo design narrowed down to 3 finalists.
It’s time for fighters to come together. https://t.co/OFhcxNewaY
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 12, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Glover Teixeira (33-8) vs. Jamahal Hill (11-1); UFC 283, Jan. 21.
Viviane Araujo (11-4) vs. Amanda Ribas (11-3); UFC 285, March 4.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow!
EXIT POLL
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Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/12/23504769/glover-teixeira-reacts-sudden-title-shot-after-ufc-282-fiasco-let-the-universe-take-care-of-things?rand=96749
