The fight world reacted quickly after UFC fighter Jamahal Hill defeated Glover Teixeira in Rio de Janeiro at UFC 283 on Saturday night, winning the light heavyweight championship and cementing his place at the top of the division.
The challenger, who won the wildly one-sided affair, wasn’t the only surprise of the night as the former champion also left his gloves in the Octagon and signaled his retirement from the sport.
“Glover has had an outstanding career and has nothing else to prove,” tweeted Derek Brunson, UFC No. 5 middleweight. “Great Inspirational Career! Thank You Legend!”
“Thanks @gloverteixeira,” tweeted former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping. “Legend personified.”
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US Jamahal Hill celebrates defeating Brazilian Glover Teixera after their fight for the light heavyweight title at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 21, 2023. (MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via (Getty Images)
“Incredible career @gloverteixeira,” added UFC lightweight Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, calling Teixeria “a true legend.”
Hill’s punch was on full display during the five-round contest as the new belt holder emerged victorious via a unanimous decision over an ailing 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 praise from former UFC champions Jon Jones and Justin Gaethje and others.
Teixeira and Hill won the fight of the night.
Teixeira remained in contention to the final bell but was unable to regain a championship, which he won for the first time at UFC 267. After Texeiria lost the belt at UFC 275, Texeiria was given another shot at the vacant title but failed to defeat Hill.
After the fight, the Brazilian veteran said his toughness got him to the end but he couldn’t “keep up” anymore.
“In fact, I think I’m being too hard for my own good,” Teixeira declared from the middle of the Octagon. “I can’t keep up anymore. I will focus my energy on that [middleweight champ] Alex Pereira. He’ll keep his belt for a while and move up to light heavyweight. It’s an honor to take off the gloves on the same night as Shogun.”
Maurício “Shogun” Rua, also a Brazilian veteran and former light heavyweight champion, retired earlier in the night following his loss to Ihor Potieria.
Brazil’s Glover Teixera (L) competes against USA’s Jamahal Hill during their light heavyweight title fight at Jeunesse Arena on January 21, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil’s Glover Teixera (R) competes against USA’s Jamahal Hill during their light heavyweight title fight at Jeunesse Arena on January 21, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil’s Glover Teixera (R) competes against USA’s Jamahal Hill during their light heavyweight title fight at Jeunesse Arena on January 21, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Widely considered a legend in the sport, Teixeira retires with a 16-7 record at UFC.
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His record includes victories over former UFC light heavyweight champions Jan Blachowicz, Rashad Evans, Quinton Jackson as well as Ryan Bader, who is a past divisional champion for Bellator.
Also at UFC 283, Moreno defended his flyweight belt through a doctor stoppage between the third and fourth rounds, and welterweight Gilbert Burns picked up a crucial submission win over Neil “The Haitian Sensation” Magny.