Ever since the name Glover Teixeira emerged out of the Chuck Liddell ashes, it seems like everyone has been pushing him for a title shot. I’m not saying he isn’t a top contender, and I’m not even saying he doesn’t deserve the opportunity. I just think it’s a little too early for him in his UFC career.
His UFC rank is too high for the lack of competition he has yet to face. What happens when Jon Jones runs right through him? Not taking anything away from Gustafsson, but I think we all can agree that, that the fight is mismatched. I see Jones running through Alexander Gustafsson and then doing the same to Glover. What will the UFC do with Glover after Jones makes his name irrelevant?
Glover showed true weakness against a guy Jones ran over in Ryan Bader. Glover showed his chin is susceptible to great power. In his defense, he proved he doesn’t crack under pressure. When you’re ranked so high, I don’t think beating guys like Bader, Kyle Kingsbury, Fábio Maldonado, James Te Huna, and a washed up Rampage Jackson, should get you a title shot. Especially with guys like Chael Sonnen, Rashad Evans, and even Phil Davis lurking in the shadows.
With Chael and Rashad already booked to face one another, Glover should at least have to earn his shot against Phil Davis. I know some believe Davis didn’t beat Lyoto Machida, but the victory sheet says otherwise. With Davis defeating Machida, there is no one left for him except Glover. Glover leapfrogging guys just because of the hype, doesn’t make sense in my opinion.