Former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira is living vicariously through his protege Alex Pereira, and says there’s still plenty more left to achieve for the current UFC light heavyweight world champion.
Pereira stopped old rival Israel Adesanya to capture the UFC middleweight title, but later made the decision to move up to 205 pounds after Adesanya knocked him out in their title rematch.
During that time, Pereira’s skillset has continued to develop as “Poatan” continued his meteoric rise up the ranks in a second sport after already reaching champ-champ status with the world-renowned GLORY kickboxing promotion.
Pereira has been learning on the job, and has had the vast experience of Teixeira in his corner every step of the way. And Teixeira is proud to have seen his protege back up, and surpass, his early predictions.
“I said to people that he was going to be a champion within one year in the UFC,” Teixeira told RG.org.
“Because of his athletic ability, his strength, and how coachable he is; he’s a guy that will listen, and he doesn’t have an ego.”
“I was very right about that.”
Following middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis’ fourth-round submission win over Adesanya at UFC 305, Pereira hinted that he could move back down to 185 pounds to face the South African in a bid to recapture the title he once held. But Teixeira isn’t quite so sure moving down is the best move for his student. In fact, the Danbury, Connecticut native said he sees Teixeira’s future in a higher division, rather than lower.
“I think I feel comfortable now with 205, happy with the weight cuts,” Teixeira said.
“But also I’ll be happy if he moves up. I think he has the potential to beat anyone at heavyweight. The guy is a beast, man. His strength is like a heavyweight, he hits like a heavyweight. So it’ll be no problem.”
Talk of moving weight classes has somewhat overshadowed the job in hand for “Poatan,” with the UFC light heavyweight champ set to put his title on the line against first-time challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event of UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 5.
Teixeira said they’ve got their eye on the ball, and have Rountree well scouted. But, in their research, they’ve come to the conclusion that the Las Vegas-based contender isn’t bringing anything they haven’t prepared for before.
“We prepare for everything,” Teixeira said.
“Rountree is a good fighter. We know who he is: tough kid, very good striker … It’s not much different than the other fights, to be honest, because anything can happen. So it’s pretty much the same training for Jamahal Hill or for Jiri Prochazka.”
The matchup will be the latest step on the martial arts journey Pereira and Teixeira are taking together as student and coach. It’s taken Pereira to two UFC titles already, and with the pair set to head to the Octagon for Pereira’s 10th fight in the UFC on October 5, Teixeira said that they’re keeping their friendship at the forefront of everything they do, as Pereira continues improving as a fighter, and Teixeira continues his evolution as a coach.
“It was very natural,” Teixeira said of his coaching ability.
“I don’t have a choice to think about it, you know? I was already a coach. It’s never, ‘Oh s**t, I have to coach Alex, the biggest star in the UFC right now.’
“We’re just like two dudes over here trainin. I understand a lot of his background and the same stupid jokes. So we’d say something we used to say when we were kids or something, and it’d always just bring up some memories. Right away we connected.
“At the end of the day, it’s just a few friends training in the garage, having fun, doing the right thing and conquering the world.
“It’s all play, man. At the end of our lives, we’re just going to look back at the quality moments together.”
And that relaxed approach even allows Teixeira to enjoy a frosty beverage during sessions, as he revealed.
“Sometimes, I coach with a beer in my hand!” he said.
