The fight world reacted quickly after UFC fighter Jamahal Hill defeated Glover Teixeira in Rio de Janeiro at UFC 283 on Saturday night, capturing the light heavyweight championship and cementing his place atop the division.
The challenger who won the event wildly one-sided 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 more to prove,” Derek Brunson, the UFC’s No. 5 ranked middleweight, tweeted. “Great inspiring run! Thank you legend!”
“Thank you @gloverteixeira,” former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping tweeted. “The legend personified”.
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Jamahal Hill of the USA celebrates victory over Brazil’s Glover Teixera after their light heavyweight title fight at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 21, 2023.
(MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
“Amazing career @gloverteixeira,” added UFC lightweight Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, calling Teixeria “a true legend.”
Hill’s punching was on display throughout the five round contest as the new belt holder emerged victorious by unanimous decision over a battered Teixeira.
The teary-eyed new champion hugged his trainers after the fight to celebrate the biggest fight of his career.
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Hill received his own accolades from former UFC champions Jon Jones and Justin Gaethje and others.
Teixeira and Hill won Fight of the Night.
Teixeira remained in contention until the final bell, but failed to regain a championship 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 beat Hill. .
After the fight, the Brazilian veteran said his toughness carried him through to the end, but he can’t “keep up” anymore.
“Really though, 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 move up to light heavyweight. It’s an honor to put on the gloves the same night as Shogun.”
Maurício “Shogun” Rua, also a Brazilian veteran and former light heavyweight champion, retired earlier in the evening following his loss to Ihor Potieria.
Brazilian Glover Teixera (L) competes against American Jamahal Hill during their light heavyweight title fight at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on January 21, 2023.
(MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazilian Glover Teixera (right) competes against American Jamahal Hill during their light heavyweight title fight at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 21, 2023.
(MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazilian Glover Teixera (right) competes against American Jamahal Hill during their light heavyweight title fight at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 21, 2023.
(MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Teixeira is widely recognized as a legend of the sport and retires 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 former Bellator multi-division champion Ryan Bader.
Also at UFC 283, Moreno defended his flyweight belt via doctor’s stoppage between the third and fourth rounds, and welterweight Gilbert Burns earned a pivotal submission victory over Neil “The Haitian Sensation” Magny.