Glover Teixeira
Active 2012–present · rated in 5 editions · peak overall 90.0
Scouting report
Capturing the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at 42 years old by submitting Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267 completed a late-career title run. Born in Sobralia, Brazil, and representing Teixeira MMA, Glover broke down contenders with overhand rights, takedowns, and top control, his veteran skill reflected in a 94 BJJ rating, 88 Strength, and 90 Overall score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Teixeira made his UFC entrance between 2012 and 2013, submitting Kyle Kingsbury, defeating Fabio Maldonado, outpointing former champion Quinton Jackson in Chicago, submitting James Te Huna with a guillotine, and stopping Ryan Bader in round one in Belo Horizonte to earn a title shot. His hooks, submission transitions, and top control are reflected in an 86 Boxing and 82 Wrestling.
Teixeira challenged Jon Jones for the title at UFC 172 in Baltimore in April 2014, dropping a decision, and lost to Phil Davis before finishing Ovince Saint Preux by rear-naked choke and Patrick Cummins in Sao Paulo in 2015. His guillotine threats, power hooks, and wrestling pressure anchor his 87 Boxing and 88 BJJ.
Between 2016 and 2017, Teixeira knocked out former champion Rashad Evans in round one in Tampa, defeated Jared Cannonier, and stopped Misha Cirkunov via first-round TKO, while dropping stoppage defeats to Anthony Johnson and Alexander Gustafsson. His right hand, ground-and-pound, and durable frame justify his 87 Boxing and 82 Wrestling.
Teixeira put together a run of finishes from 2018 to 2019, submitting Karl Roberson with an arm-triangle in Brooklyn, submitting Ion Cutelaba with a rear-naked choke in Fort Lauderdale, and outworking Nikita Krylov in Vancouver. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt grappling, wrestling takedowns, and durability are captured in an 87 Boxing and 90 BJJ.
Teixeira put together a championship run between 2020 and 2021, stopping Anthony Smith in Jacksonville, submitting Thiago Santos with a rear-naked choke in Las Vegas, and submitting Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi at age 42 to capture the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. His fight IQ, top control, and submissions are reflected in a 93 Fight IQ and 94 BJJ.
Glover Teixeira, the late bloomer with the jiu-jitsu black belt
Glover Teixeira won the light heavyweight title at 42, beating Jan Blachowicz by submission, which is the sort of result that makes older fighters look at their own careers differently. He is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with heavy hands and a patient game. Draft him for veteran habits and finishing skill.
Teixeira through his stats
Boxing. Strong. He walks forward with a heavy jab and swings hooks with clear intent.
Kickboxing. The lowest striking number. He kicks occasionally but relies on hands.
Wrestling. Solid. His clinch work and takedowns are used to set up top position.
BJJ. The best on his card. He chokes and controls from top, and a rear-naked choke won him the title.
Strength. Thick and powerful, and he pushes opponents around in the clinch.
Durability. Good. He kept moving forward through damage even in his losses.
Cardio. Improved late. He stayed dangerous into the championship rounds.
Fight IQ. High late in his run. He learned to set up his finishes with less waste.
BJJ makes every clinch a threat
Teixeira does not need a dominant position to start hunting. Once he gets his hands on someone, the choke is always a possibility. That threat forces opponents to change their game, and it is why the trait is worth taking.
Distance is his enemy: Kickboxing
His kicking is the least developed piece of his striking. A rangy opponent who keeps him at the end of a jab and a low kick can slow his approach. Pair him with a teammate whose cardio backs up a long chase.
Keep exploring
Closest light heavyweight profiles to Glover Teixeira, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Daniel Cormierbest wrestling 97 · weakest kickboxing 78
- Jan Blachowiczbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 85
- Rashad Evansbest wrestling 90 · weakest bjj 80
- Phil Davisbest wrestling 92 · weakest kickboxing 76
- Light Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Glover Teixeira's strongest attribute, BJJ.
Draft Glover Teixeira into your build
Glover Teixeira enters the pool on any spin landing on light heavyweight between 2010 and 2022. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Glover Teixeira is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Glover Teixeira's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.