The fighting world reacted quickly after UFC fighter Jamahal Hill defeated Glover Teixeira in Rio de Janeiro at UFC 283 on Saturday night, winning the light heavyweight championship and cementing his place at the top of the division. .
The challenger winning the wildly one-sided affair wasn’t the only surprise that night, as the former champion also left his gloves in the Octagon, signaling his retirement from the sport.
“Glover has had a stellar career and has nothing else to prove,” tweeted UFC No. 5 ranked middleweight Derek Brunson. “Great inspiring career! Thank you legend!”
“Thank you @gloverteixeira,” tweeted former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping. “Legend personified.”
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US Jamahal Hill celebrates his victory over Brazilian Glover Teixera after their fight for the light heavyweight title during the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on January 21, 2023. .
(MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
“Incredible career @gloverteixeira,” added UFC lightweight Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, calling Teixeria a “true legend.”
Hill’s striking was on full display throughout the five-round contest as the new belt holder emerged victorious via a unanimous decision over a beaten Teixeira.
The teary-eyed new champion hugged his coaches after the fight to celebrate the biggest fight of his career.
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Hill received his own praise from former UFC champions Jon Jones and Justin Gaethje and others.
Teixeira and Hill won the fight of the night.
Teixeira remained in the contest until the final bell but failed to reclaim a championship which he first won at UFC 267. After losing the belt at UFC 275, Texeiria had another shot at the vacant title but was unable to defeat Hill.
After the fight, the Brazilian veteran said his tenacity got him all the way but he couldn’t “keep up the pace” anymore.
“In reality, I think I’m too tough for my own good,” Teixeira explained in the middle of the Octagon. “I can’t keep up anymore. I’m going to focus my energy on [middleweight champ] Alex Pereira. He will keep his belt for a while and go up to light heavyweight. It’s an honor to put on the gloves on the same night as Shogun.”
Maurício “Shogun” Rua, also a Brazilian veteran and former light heavyweight champion, retired earlier in the night following his loss to Ihor Potieria.
Brazilian Glover Teixera (L) faces US Jamahal Hill in their light heavyweight title fight at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 21, 2023 .
(MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazilian Glover Teixera (R) takes on US Jamahal Hill in their light heavyweight title fight at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 21. 2023.
(MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazilian Glover Teixera (R) takes on US Jamahal Hill in their light heavyweight title fight at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 21. 2023.
(MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Teixeira is widely considered a legend in the sport and is retiring with a 16-7 record in the UFC.
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His record includes wins over former UFC light heavyweight champions Jan Blachowicz, Rashad Evans, Quinton Jackson, as well as Ryan Bader, who is a former champion in different divisions for Bellator.
Also at UFC 283, Moreno defended his flyweight belt via doctor stoppage between the third and fourth rounds, and welterweight Gilbert Burns earned a crucial submission win over Neil “The Haitian Sensation” Magny.
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