Glover Teixeira defeated the unranked Jared Cannonier at UFC 208, it was one of eight fights that went to the judge’s scorecards that night.
Teixeira, who admitted to having a lackluster performance that night, knows he needs to improve if he wants to compete with the divisions elite.
“I apologize for that,” Teixeira said to MMA Junkie. “It was not the way that I like to fight, not the way that I like to finish my fights. But I had to deal with a little situation back in camp and I had to play it smart for this fight, man, coming out of a loss to Anthony Johnson, and adjust my game a little bit. But yes, I understand that I have to step up my game and work on that speed and boxing if I want to fight the top-five contenders like (champion Daniel) Cormier, Johnson and (ex-champ Jon) Jones. I have to step up my game, for sure.”
Teixeira has previously challenged for the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, losing to then champion Jon Jones at UFC 172.
The light heavyweight has also been dealing with a labrum injury, some he hopes will be heal soon.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Teixeira said. “I think this week, it’s much, much better, so I think it will heal up on its own if I take a couple of weeks off and I’ll be OK. If not, I’ve got to fix that, but hopefully it will be OK.”
Teixeira initially injured his labrum at UFC 172, he has also trained in the past with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell.
