Jan
Blachowicz will make his second light heavyweight championship
defense against Glover
Teixeira at UFC 266 on Sept. 4.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the bout to broadcast partner
ESPN on Wednesday. A location and venue for event has not been
revealed. It’s also unclear if Blachowicz vs. Teixeira will
headline the card.
Blachowicz defended the crown for the first time with a five-round
verdict over reigning 185-pound king Israel
Adesanya at UFC 259. The 38-year-old WCA Fight Team
representative claimed the vacant light heavyweight strap with a
second-round technical knockout of Dominick
Reyes at UFC 253 in September 2020. Blachowicz has won nine of
his last 10 Octagon appearances dating back to October 2017.
This will be Teixeira’s second bid for light heavyweight gold after
losing a five-round verdict to then champ Jon Jones at
UFC 172 in April 2014. The 41-year-old Brazilian has been resurgent
of late, compiling a five-bout winning streak dating back to a
first-round submission of Karl
Roberson in January 2019. Most recently, Teixeira tapped out
former No. 1 contender Thiago
Santos in the UFC on ESPN 17 main event on Nov. 7.