Glover Lucas Teixeira (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈɡloveʁ tejˈʃejɾɐ]; born 28 October 1979) is a Brazilian-American former professional mixed martial artist.

Teixeira is a former member of the Brazilian National Wrestling Team and has competed in the WEC, Impact FC, PFC and Shooto.

Teixeira is originally from the rural community of Sobrália, Minas Gerais, Brazil and is of Portuguese descent.

After watching boxers such as Mike Tyson and the early mixed martial arts fighters such as UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie and Chuck Liddell compete, Teixeira decided that he wanted to follow the same path.

[8] Teixeira earned his 8th Degree Hawaiian Kempo Black Belt under Hackleman, owner of The Pit Martial Arts; he earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Luigi Mondelli,[5] head coach at American Top Team Connecticut, and earned his Vale Tudo black belt under Marco Ruas of Ruas Vale Tudo.

[9] On 21 February 2012, it was announced that Teixeira had signed a deal with the UFC and would make his debut in early summer 2012.

The bout with Bader eventually took place on 4 September 2013 as the main event at UFC Fight Night 28.

[26] Teixeira was expected to face Rashad Evans on 22 February 2015 at UFC Fight Night 61.

[30] Teixeira faced Ovince Saint Preux on 8 August 2015 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 73.

[47] However, the pairing was delayed after a recent hand surgery for Teixeira was slow to heal and the bout eventually took place on 16 December 2017 at UFC on Fox 26.

[50] However, Oezdemir was pulled from that pairing in favor of a matchup with Maurício Rua at UFC Fight Night 134.

After seeking a replacement for Cuțelaba,[59] the UFC announced that Karl Roberson was stepping up to face Teixeira.

[61] Teixeira eventually faced Cuțelaba at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson on 27 April 2019.

[70] However, due to Teixeira testing positive for COVID-19 a week prior to the bout, the pair was rescheduled to fight on 4 October 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs.

[76] Teixeira won via submission due to a rear naked choke in the 2nd round, winning the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

[77][78] This win made him the oldest first time champion in UFC history at 42 years old, and also earned him the Performance of the Night award.

[81] After a back and forth battle, Teixeira lost the fight and title via rear-naked choke submission in the fifth round.

[84] However, on 23 November, Procházka pulled out due to a shoulder injury that will require surgery and at least six months of rehabilitation.

He decided to vacate the title, and Teixeira subsequently refused a replacement fight against Magomed Ankalaev.

[88] He lost the bout via unanimous decision after being outstruck for five rounds and announced his retirement during the post-fight interview.

[90] Glover competed against Anthony Smith in the co-main event of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 on 29 June 2023.

[92] In May 2013, Teixeira had prepared testimony and spoke before the Members of the Connecticut General Assembly Public Safety and Security Committee.

Teixeira spoke in hopes of encouraging their vote to legalize and regulate Mixed Martial Arts in Connecticut.

In conclusion, I would just add that I would love to have the opportunity to participate in an event someday here in my home state of Connecticut.

[95] In February 2014, Teixeira went to the United States Capital and met with Senators John McCain and Harry Reid to support the continued research of the Cleveland Clinic's Lou Ruvo Center study of brain health.

This landmark study is designed to look at the effects of combat sports on the human brain of professional fighters.

Also in attendance was UFC fighter Jon Jones, Chairman and CEO of The UFC Lorenzo Fertitta, SpikeTV President Kevin Kay, Top Rank President Todd duBoef, & Bernard Hopkins representing Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer.

[citation needed] In 2022, Teixeira visited The Cure 4 The Kids Foundation to provide toys, inspiration and smiles during the holiday season.