Glover Teixeira opens up on how he felt facing Jon Jones back in 2014

Glover Teixeira was the most dangerous old warhorse in the UFC for the past four years, but now he can sit back, feet up, and reflect on his magnificent career.

The Brazilian hung up his gloves in January after being defeated by a young thoroughbred, Jamahal Hill, for the vacant light heavyweight title in Brazil.

And Teixeira, 43, says her family is delighted with the decision, even if it wasn’t planned.

“I don’t have to think, ‘I have to spar this week or fight this week,’ it’s more relaxed, you know,” Teixeira said, speaking in his official role as ambassador for Stake.com.

‘I’m enjoying getting back to training… retired life is different, I’m just going to work out today, but it doesn’t have to be at the right time, I can take it easy, I can go for a run, ride a bike, whatever just for me.

Teixeira fought Jon Jones in 2014 and admits he’s the toughest fighter he’s ever competed with

‘My family is the most excited about this, man. There was no plan to retire, but right after the fight, it didn’t work out for me, I was all banged up, all cut up, I just thought “it’s time, I don’t want to do this anymore.”

‘If I’m not fighting for the championship, I don’t want to be fighting alone. The family is very excited, my wife loves it, in a week of fighting I could see how tense she is.

‘My mom, we have a family WhatsApp group and in the week of the fight she doesn’t talk too much in the group because she’s nervous but it’s great, everyone is happy.

Teixeira enjoyed an Indian summer to end his career, reaching his prime in his late thirties and early forties.

But it was an ignominious start, 43 fights ago, and the future UFC champion would lose his first professional fight.

While his abilities may not have improved by that time, his rock-solid mindset and unwavering nature were there and he wasn’t particularly worried.

He added: “Back then, I just wanted the record to look better, like, ‘Oh man, I started with a negative record and I look at those guys who started like 5-0, 10-0,’ and I started with a loss! !’

“I got to 1-1 but lost the third fight to go 1-2 and it took me a while to get back on track, but it never bothered me because I was so young in the game and I knew I had to work harder.” , I was too excited, too fast.

Teixeira was friendly in defeat and congratulated the new champion on being crowned

Of course, Teixeira would emerge as a light heavyweight force in the UFC with a few more miles on the clock than most, given that they refused to sign him up until his US visa status was approved after he had traveled illegally. into the country across the border.

But once he got to the big show, he quickly established himself as one of the most trusted entertainers around.

Now you can look back at a resume that includes some incredible names, none more so than the man of the hour, Jon Jones.

Jones, who in the eyes of most fans cemented his status as the greatest MMA fighter of all time by winning the vacant heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, met Teixeira in 2014.

The American was in his early twenties, but his fight against Teixeira was already his eighth title defense.

Teixeira looks back on the puzzle Jones presented and points to him as his toughest opponent in a career that spans more than two decades.

Jones dominated the light heavyweight division when he fought Teixeira.

Teixeira defied the odds to become the second-oldest UFC champion at UFC 267

‘Jon is a crafty man, he’s hard to hit. And I didn’t feel like I hurt him,” he explained.

‘Of course some other fights like Anthony Johnson were quick, but even in the fights I lost there were moments where I felt like I hurt the guy or I could win. You always think, “if I fight him again, I could do this differently or explore something else.”

‘If I were to fight Jamahal Hill again, I would explore more leg kicks. Jon Jones was the tougher guy because I felt like I didn’t hurt him. All I threw, I was like “shit, I can’t hurt this guy.”

“I kicked Jamahal’s heels and leg and he felt it. With Jon Jones I couldn’t get anything, it was hard. He was my toughest opponent.

‘Bones’ ended up winning a unanimous decision that night and hasn’t even been legitimately beaten, so there’s no shame in defeat.

And while Teixeira is now retired, he continues to inspire the next generation and help shape champions like Alex Pereira, his close friend, training partner and UFC middleweight champion.

His fellow Brazilian takes on Israel Adesanya in a big rematch this April. With 22 years of experience in the game, there is real wisdom to impart.

If Teixeira can come close to success in the corner like he did in the Octagon, Pereira should be hanging on his every word.