On Saturday in Singapore, Glover
Teixeira will attempt to add a chapter to one of MMA’s all-time
Cinderella stories.
Sign up for ESPN+ and order UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Prochazka
The likeable Brazilian by way of Connecticut authored a career-defining moment last October when, just two days after his 42nd birthday, he choked out Jan Blachowicz to become the 14th man to hold the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title. It had been over seven years since Teixeira’s first, unsuccessful title shot, against Jon Jones at UFC 172.
This week at UFC 275, Teixeira faces Czech knockout merchant Jiri Prochazka, with the opportunity not only to defend his belt, but to move into an entirely different historical category. That is due to the unique nature of the UFC light heavyweight belt, which has gone back and forth between being an anchor and a hot potato since the beginning. While dominant champions including Frank Shamrock, Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell and Jon Jones have held onto the title for lengthy reigns, the fact remains that of the 15 UFC light heavyweight champs (counting Randy Couture’s two stints separately), six failed to defend the title even a single time, and three more were able to defend it only once. It speaks to the traditionally top-heavy nature of the division that some of the best fighters in history, in their primes, were unable to fend off the onslaught of high-level challengers.
Here is the nearly 25-year history of the UFC light heavyweight title and the times it was won, lost or defended. It tells a story of a division loaded with star power from the very beginning, a division where to capture the title was a mark of greatness, but to hold onto it was the makings of legend.
Sign up for ESPN+ and order UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Prochazka
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The likeable Brazilian by way of Connecticut authored a career-defining moment last October when, just two days after his 42nd birthday, he choked out Jan Blachowicz to become the 14th man to hold the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title. It had been over seven years since Teixeira’s first, unsuccessful title shot, against Jon Jones at UFC 172.
This week at UFC 275, Teixeira faces Czech knockout merchant Jiri Prochazka, with the opportunity not only to defend his belt, but to move into an entirely different historical category. That is due to the unique nature of the UFC light heavyweight belt, which has gone back and forth between being an anchor and a hot potato since the beginning. While dominant champions including Frank Shamrock, Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell and Jon Jones have held onto the title for lengthy reigns, the fact remains that of the 15 UFC light heavyweight champs (counting Randy Couture’s two stints separately), six failed to defend the title even a single time, and three more were able to defend it only once. It speaks to the traditionally top-heavy nature of the division that some of the best fighters in history, in their primes, were unable to fend off the onslaught of high-level challengers.
Here is the nearly 25-year history of the UFC light heavyweight title and the times it was won, lost or defended. It tells a story of a division loaded with star power from the very beginning, a division where to capture the title was a mark of greatness, but to hold onto it was the makings of legend.
Ben
Duffy/Sherdog.com illustration
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