Glover Teixeira plans to ‘keep fighting for a long time’ after UFC 283 (Video)

Glover Teixeira looks to make history once again by picking up a UFC title at 43 years of age.

UFC 283 is the first PPV offering from the UFC in 2023 and the promotion is kicking things off with the light heavyweight championship. Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill are poised to battle for the opportunity to carry the company’s 205-pound title. Hill is looking to capture the gold for the first time, while Teixeira wants to add to his legacy and pick up the belt for the second time.

At 43 years old, Teixeira has done nearly everything in mixed martial arts. After joining the company at UFC 146 back in 2012, it took Teixeira ten years to finally reach the championship. Along the way, he remained a top threat to the title, once fighting Jon Jones for the belt at UFC 172 almost nine years ago. But the belt continued to elude him after dropping matches to the top names in the division.

“I’m very happy to be here,” Teixeira said at the UFC 283 media day. “When you want something, you have to figure out what you have to do to get there. I want to keep fighting for a long time. I’m here fighting at the highest level. I got the belt at 42, and hope to get the belt at 43 to make history.”

That changed at UFC 267 where he needed less than two rounds to defeat Jan Blachowicz and earn the title for the first time. He’d lose the belt in his next outing against Jiri Prochazka in what was one of the best battles in 2022. However, fate would help him back to this position after Magomed Ankalaev and Blachowicz fought to a draw at UFC 282.

Jamahal Hill was a surprise addition to the light heavyweight title picture

“I was surprised for the last two months, very surprised with everything that happened,” Teixeira said. “All the stuff happened and now here we are with Jamahal Hill. He’s a dangerous fighter. He’s proven. He’s the next guy. It’s going to be a good matchup and it’s going to be a good fight.”

For many, Hill was a surprise name to be included in the title picture. He’s been with the company for less than four years, making his debut via the Dana White Contender Series in July 2019. Since then, he’s put together a 5-1-1 campaign in the Octagon with all our victories coming via stoppage. Coming into the title fight, Hill is ranked number seven in the light heavyweight rankings and brings an 11-1 overall record.

UFC 283: Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill takes place on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, live from the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your news and highlights.