Number two contender has his say on upcoming bout and his personal plans.
Number two contender to the UFC light heavyweight title Glover Teixeira beleives current king Jon Jones will defend his title against Alexander Gustaffson at UFC 165 next weekend.
The Brazilian, who has cut a swathe in reaching the top of the 205 pound tree, also beleives the fight won’t go to the judges along with how he thinks “Bones” will get over the top of his Swede opponent.
“I believe Jon is going to win this fight,” Teixeira said.
“I hope he wins. I think he’s going to win on the ground. I believe Gustafsson’s a great standup fighter, and I think Jon is smart enough and a better wrestler to take him down and beat him on the ground. I don’t know how.
“It might be ground and pound, or maybe a submission, but I don’t think this fight is going to go five rounds.”
Teixeira, who is coming off a TKO win over Ryan Bader, said he is over the disappointment of not fighting how he wanted to and nearly being upset, after The Ultimate fighter season eight winner knocked down the Brazilian in front of his home fans in the first round.
“When you fight the way you want to fight, and you get caught with a punch and get knocked out, it’s OK,” Teixeira said.
“But I wasn’t fighting my way. I wasn’t moving my head right, and I was waiting too much. That day, I started waiting too much, and I got punched before I started punching. So that’s why was I was (upset). It’s not about getting knocked down. It’s about doing something wrong.”
As opposed to top contenders in recent years, Teixeira said he would rather stay active rather than shit in shelf if Gustaffson beat Jones and forces an immediate rematch early in 2014.
“I want to stay busy,” Teixeira said. “I want to fight (Jones). He’s the bigger name, and he’s been champion for a while.
“If Gustafsson beats this guy, I’ll be happy for him, too, as long as I get to fight him. Or if they have a rematch, I’d like to fight some top contender and keep myself busy. I’m healthy, and I can’t be losing time.”
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