UFC on FOX 6: Rampage Jackson on Glover Teixeira: “Who Has He Really Fought?”

Glover Teixeira

Jackson Skeptical Of Teixeira's Reputation

Brazilian light heavyweight newcomer Glover Teixeira has had only 2 fights in the UFC, yet the dominance he exuded in these consecutive victories has established him as a legitimate threat in the division. Many fighters and fans alike believe that Teixeira's powerful boxing and wrestling abilities should be taken very seriously by every top contender at 205 lbs.

Upcoming opponent Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, however, is still yet to be impressed.

Even though Dana White publicly announced that "nobody wants to fight this guy" in regards to Teixeira, Jackson revealed in a recent UFC on FOX 6 media conference call that he doesn't feel that Teixeira is actually as well-respected in the organization as one might imagine. Rampage even went on to say that the reason Mauricio "Shogun" Rua declined to fight Glover at UFC on FOX 4 was because he didn't think Teixeira was worthy of being in the main card of such a high profile event.

I think the reason why people didn't want to fight him is, 'who is he?' People haven't really heard of him. If you look at Glover's record, who has he really fought? He hasn't fought any top names. The biggest guy he fought was Ricco Rodriguez and he's past his time. I fight for my career and I never turn down a fight the UFC offered me. The only person I tried to duck was Matt Hamill because he was a boring fighter. I seen the videos of him trying to hold me against the cage and wrestle me. He's not a real fighter. Shogun probably didn't want to fight him because he doesn't respect him."

First off, Shogun actually cleared the air a little while ago by declaring that he does know and respect Glover, and that there is a possibility of the two of them fighting sometime in the near future.

In terms of Teixeira's fighting credentials, Rampage is correct as he will be Teixeira's first relevant, big name opponent in his MMA career. But most would agree that the real mystery here is that Rampage still considers himself a formidable test for such a well-rounded, physically gifted competitor since the last time Jackson gave a performance as awe-inspiring as Teixeira's recent fights was arguably his knockout of Wanderlei Silva back in 2008.

The question as to whether Teixeira's intimidating striking and grappling skills can hold their own against a former champion will be answered January 26th at UFC on FOX 6. We will find out not only just how good of a fighter Teixeira is, but also who the noticeably fading Rampage Jackson has become at this stage of his life as well.

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