Glover Teixeira thinks a win over Misha Cirkunov could earn a title shot in the ‘crazy’ LHW division

This Saturday’s UFC on FOX 26: Lawler vs. Dos Anjos brings a strong schedule of fights to Winnipeg, MB. Sprinkled among the match-ups of reliable action-fighters is an intriguing light heavyweight clash that pits the old guard versus new blood.

Glover Teixeira vs. Misha Cirkunov has the potential to generate one of the next title challengers for the UFC’s 205lb crown. At least that’s what the 3rd-ranked Teixeira thinks.

“The division is crazy right now,” Teixeira told Bloody Elbow. “I’ve been trying to stay away from the internet, although my wife says I have to post my stuff on the Instagram, because the division is so crazy right now. You never know what will happen.”

“Last thing I heard [Alexander] Gustafsson had an injury and shoulder surgery. [Volkan] Oezdemir has some issues with the law. So if he can’t fight [Daniel] Cormier. I’m next in line, right? If I win this fight, of course I have a tough opponent in front of me, but a win in this fight and if Cormier has nobody to fight, that’s me, right there. The next one in line.”

Teixeira’s last bout was an extremely entertaining headliner versus Alexander Gustafsson in Sweden this May. In that clash, Teixeira weathered a lot of punishment before eventually being KO’d in the fifth round. Before that he bested Jared Cannonier, over three rounds, at UFC 208 in February.

Teixeira’s opponent, Misha Cirkunov, was on an eight fight win streak — that included wins over Nikita Krylov and Ion Cutelaba — until he ran into Volkan Oezdemir at that same Sweden card. Versus Oezdemir, Cirkunov was knocked out for the first time in his career.

Teixeira said he had watched some of the 7th ranked Latvian-Canadian’s fights, but still didn’t know too much about him.

“I know he’s a tough guy,” offered Teixeira. “Good striker, very good on the ground, he seems well rounded. I’ve got to be careful. He’s a powerful guy, strong obviously, but I think it’s going to be a good fight for me.”

The Brazilian former protege of Chuck Liddell had his first pro fight in 2002. In the last 15 years he has touched gloves with well known fighters such as Rashad Evans, Quinton Jackson, Ryan Bader, and Jon Jones (in a title fight at 2014’s UFC 172).

Based on his experience in the cage, Teixeira said that Cirkunov offers “nothing new” as an opponent.

“Unless he comes up with some crazy stuff on December 16th. He’s a young fighter and he’s a good fighter, but I’m going to be prepared and ready to go.”

Teixeira, now 38-years old, obviously holds the experience edge over the 30-year-old Cirkunov. However, Texeira doesn’t think that’s his only advantage in this match-up.

“I think I’m a better all around fighter,” he said. “I’m better than him striking-wise and wrestling. On the ground, guy’s got some submissions, but I’ve been training Brazilian jiu-jitsu a long time. I’m a Brazil and Abu Dhabi champion, you know? I’m not afraid of going to the ground with him. I’m well prepared to fight this guy and I think I’m better than him in all aspects, to tell you the truth.”

Before being rocked by ‘No Time’ Oezdemir, Cirkunov was heralded as probably the next big thing in the light heavyweight division. Teixeira knows what that feels like. Having come into the UFC on a fifteen fight win streak, over names such as Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Marvin Eastman, and Ricco Rodriguez, Teixeira was believed to be one of few men who could hold his own against the dominant Jon Jones.

Teixeira remembers having hype around him at that time. It was similar to what Cirkunov had earlier this year and may still have, to some degree, given the lack of depth at 205lbs. However, Teixeira said hype doesn’t mean much at all and he suggested ignoring any of it around Cirkunov, or anyone else.

“I don’t much believe in the hype of anything or anybody, not even myself,” said the former title challenger. “I don’t believe those reports like, ‘Oh this guy is going to be the new guy.’ How many times we’ve heard this? How many times have I even thought this myself? Even in the gym, we have people come in who we think, ‘Oh my God, this kid is going to be special. Oh s—t, this kid’s been training for three months and he’s already unbelievable. I can’t imagine him training for fives years.’ And all of a sudden the kid just disappears.”

“The hype is too much,” continued Teixeira. “You just have to go in there and prove it. That’s my style. That’s the way I think. You’ve got to prove it every fight.”

In Winnipeg, Teixeira hopes to prove he’s still a top contender in the division. You can see how successful he is on December 16th. Teixiera vs. Cirkunov happens on the main card. It starts at 8PM ET and is available live on FOX.