While Thiago
Santos’ prediction of a Glover
Teixeira victory at UFC 275 didn’t come true, he gained even
more respect for his fellow Brazilian in defeat.
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Teixeira was ahead on the scorecards against Jiri
Prochazka before succumbing to a rear-naked choke submission at
the 4:32 mark of Round 5 this past Saturday at Singapore Indoor
Stadium in Kallang, Singpaore.
“It was such a war,” Santos told Sherdog.com. “Glover was close to
winning in a Rocky Balboa style
as I predicted, but the last 30 seconds changed the result,”
Santos told Sherdog.com “But I respect Glover more than ever. This
guy is a monster, 42 years old fighting a 25-minute war against a
strong guy like Prochazka. All my respect to Glover.”
It’s currently unclear who will get the first shot against
Prochazka, but Santos believes Teixeira should get the nod over the
likes of Jan
Blachowicz, Anthony
Smith or Magomed
Ankalaev.
“The most correct [decision] would be an immediate rematch with
Glover,” Santos said. “Because of Glover’s history and how the
fight was going, I think the fans would love to see that again. But
in case UFC [opts] for an all-European title fight, Jan is the
other possibility. But as I always say styles makes fights. I think
Prochaska would be the favorite against Jan.”
No matter how long Prochazka keeps the belt, Santos is interested
in facing the Czech Republic native.
“Jiri would be a perfect fight for me,” he said. “We could see in
that fight that Glover had many good moments in the striking,
showing many holes on Jiri´s game. Definitely his [style] fits
perfectly with mine. He exposed himself a lot. I have no doubt I
would find his chin and make it look easy. I´m willing to face
him.”
Of course, Santos has more pressing matters at hand. “Marreta” has
begun his camp in preparation to face Jamahall Hill in the UFC on
ESPN 40 main event on Aug. 6 in Las Vegas.
“My focus now is on my next opponent,” Santos said. “As I said, I
like to fight aggressive guys like Hill and Prochazka. I truly hope
he fights against me like he fought [Johnny] Walker and [Jimmy]
Crute. I´m training hard to win this fight via KO or
submission.”