Glover Teixeira's UFC career began in 2012, more than three years after it could've due to visa issues for the Brazilian MMA star. After five straight wins, Teixeira fought Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title, but after losing that fight, he went through years of ups and downs in his career.
Then, in early 2019, Teixeira started the six-fight run that would finally put him where he always wanted to be, at 42 years old -- the UFC light heavyweight champion in the world. Teixeira defeated Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267 Saturday, and as the Brazilian-born fighter who now calls Connecticut home, celebrated in the cage in Abu Dhabi, social media started blowing up as the rest of the UFC roster, from current champions like Francis Ngannou, Kamaru Usman and Aljamain Sterling, to former champs Conor McGregor and Daniel Cormier, to veterans and young fighters alike congratulated Teixeira.
Here's what they had to say about the newly crowned champ.
Glover Teixeira is like a fine wine, the older he gets the better he is.
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) October 30, 2021
This man is unbelievable!!!
Congratulations Champ 🏆 👏🏾 #UFC267
Congratulations champ @gloverteixeira just amazing to see 👏🏿👏🏿 #UFC267
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) October 30, 2021
Congratulations to the champion of the world Brazil's own @gloverteixeira ! Literally brought a tear to my eyes the way this man has never given up! Just amazing 42 years old man. #ufc267
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 30, 2021
Just incredible! What a sport! https://t.co/s6138tnC6A
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 30, 2021
That is awesome to see @gloverteixeira get the strap.
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) October 30, 2021
So happy for @gloverteixeira 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #UFC267
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) October 30, 2021
@gloverteixeira #AndNew @ufc light heavyweight champion 🇧🇷🏆🙏🏾#UFC267 https://t.co/6erAMZ1mjK
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) October 30, 2021
The @gloverteixeira story trumps the Rocky story all day. I'm still in awe, what an impressive performance. 20 years of commitment to a dream coming to fruition, unreal. Congratulations champ!!!!! #ufc267
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) October 30, 2021
Teixeira keeping 40+ year old dreams alive!!! WOW!!! #UFC267
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 30, 2021
Smiling from ear to ear right now! So happy for this guy! ❤️ Congrats @gloverteixeira #UFC267
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) October 30, 2021
Good to see Glover get it done!!
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) October 30, 2021
Wowww unreal!!!! Yes @gloverteixeira
— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) October 30, 2021
Wow !! Congrats to the new champ @gloverteixeira !!what a story !!
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) October 30, 2021
Hell yeah Glover 👍🏻
— Bryce Mitchell (@ThugnastyMMA) October 30, 2021
Jan tapped out as soon as the sub was put on 😲 congrats to Glover 🔥🔥 #UFC267
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) October 30, 2021
👴🏼 old man Glover just crushed it ! #UFC269
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) October 30, 2021
Incrível incrível @gloverteixeira #UFC267
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) October 30, 2021
Bien por glover
— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) October 30, 2021
I love @gloverteixeira
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) October 30, 2021
Woooow!!!!! What a story he did it!!!
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 30, 2021
Congrats @gloverteixeira. Absolutely amazing, my man.
— Anthony Smith (@lionheartasmith) October 30, 2021
Never give up. Congrats @gloverteixeira You are an inspiration.
— Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) October 30, 2021
Glover is a beast and such a nice guy :) Congrats Champ! #UFC268
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 30, 2021
Wow!!! What a legend @gloverteixeira
— Dan "50k" Ige (@Dynamitedan808) October 30, 2021
WOOWWW what a performance by Glover the new champ 👏👏👏 #UFC267 42 years young 🤯
— Billyq.eth (@BillyQMMA) October 30, 2021
Let's goooooooooo @gloverteixeira is such a monster bro. So happy for him. Champ at 42 unreal.
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) October 30, 2021
Wow man what a moment. Glover baby ! Amazing
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) October 30, 2021
