UFC
Glover Teixeira believes he'll score the knock out against Jon Jones at UFC 172
Mar 19, 2014 - 1:00:00 PM Glover Teixeira believes he'll score the knock out against Jon Jones at UFC 172

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

In less than a month, the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship will be on the line when Glover Teixeira challenges Jon Jones at UFC 172.

The Brazilian competitor hasn't lost a fight since 2005, and has won all five of his appearances in the UFC, with four of those fights ending by TKO or submission. He's only gone to a decision four times in his 24-fight career, and he's stopped 19 opponents in total.

Heading into the April 26 matchup in Baltimore, Teixeira says he's planning on adding Jones to that list.

"I have the power to beat him," Teixeira said in an interview with AXS TV's Inside MMA program last Friday (transcribed by KDramaStars.com). "I have to believe my skills are gonna work against his skills. People always tell me, 'Oh, you need to bring this guy or that guy to [emulate] Jon Jones,' but I don't really worry about him."

"In my mind, he's gonna have to worry about what I'm gonna do with him. He's the champion, but I believe in my skills and I believe that on April 26 I'm gonna go [to Baltimore] and knock this guy out."

Penick's Analysis: If Teixeira is going to win this fight, it's almost assuredly going to have to be by knockout. Jones has a very good ground game, and has won several fights by submission himself, so despite Teixeira's ability on the ground I don't see him being a huge threat there. And if the fight gets into the later rounds, Jones is going to have a clear cardio and experience edge, as Teixeira's never gone to a fourth or fifth round. Teixeira has the power to put anyone away, but Jones has a very good chin that has been tested a few times now, and he's got so many other weapons at his disposal that it will be hard for Teixeira to land that blow.