Exclusive: Glover Teixeira teases move to heavyweight before the end of his career

Mandatory Credit: Cooper Neil

Forever a mainstay of the UFC light heavyweight ranks, one-time title challenger, Glover Teixeira has teased a potential move to heavyweight waters before the end of his storied Octagon stint.

The 40-year-old striker features in a high-stakes, all-Brazilian matchup next Saturday night at UFC Fight Night Vegas 9 in Nevada - as he looks to earn his second championship challenge, opposite recent title tilter, Thiago 'Marreta' Santos.

The Minas Gerais native spoke with Dave van Auken on the Fight Bananas podcast recently, detailing how he may eventually test heavyweight waters before he calls time on his professional career - following in the route mapped out by recent division jumpers, Ovince Saint Preux, as well as former opponents, Alexander Gustafsson, and Jon Jones.

"Yeah, man - who knows, right now I'm in a track at light heavyweight, you know, and I feel really good - my weight, I have no trouble cutting the weight," Teixeira said. "You know, man - yes, I'd like to try that, who knows, in the future, definitely. Right now, like I said, I'm focused on one thing, but it's a possibility for sure."

Teixeira, who has won four straight has reemerged as a force to be reckoned with at 205-pounds, following victories over Karl Roberson, Ion Cuţelaba, and Nikita Krylov. Making his second Octagon appearance of the year - the 40-year-old looks to build on a statement victory over Anthony 'Lionheart' Smith at UFC Fight Night Jacksonville in May.

Surviving an offensive onslaught in the opening round, Teixeira forced Smith to fight off the fence beyond the first-frame, before scoring an eventual ground-and-pound stoppage in the fifth and final round. Absorbing a massive amount of punishment, Nebraska native, Smith required transportation to a medical facility afterwards, having suffered a broken nose and orbital, as well as losing a tooth mid-fight.

With another former title challenger, Dominick Reyes, and former KSW best, Jan Błachowicz set to decide the next undisputed light heavyweight champion on September 26th. at UFC 253 - Teixeira gave his thoughts on the pairing - a bout he's sure to keep a firm eye on if he gets past compatriot, Santos next weekend at the UFC Apex facility.

"It's a hard fight, man, Jan (Błachowicz) has been fighting very well lately," Teixeira explained. "(Dominick) Reyes - he's like a, he's difficult - I believe that styles make fights. If I had to bet money, I would bet on Reyes. I think he's going to become the champion."