Jan Blachowicz’s next title defense is set for this fall.
The UFC light heavyweight champion, Blachowicz (28-8 MMA, 11-5 UFC) will meet Glover Teixeira (32-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) at UFC 266 on Sept. 4, Dana White revealed Wednesday to the promotion’s broadcast partner, ESPN. No venue or location has been announced for the event, nor have any additional fights been announced.
Poland’s Blachowicz will seek his second title defense. After he claimed the vacant 205-pound title with a second-round knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 in September, Blachowicz successfully defended his title for the first time against middleweight champ Israel Adesanya at UFC 259. The loss bounced Adesanya out of the ranks of the unbeaten. The 38-year-old fighter was able to take Adesanya down to the mat multiple times en route to a unanimous decision win.
Meanwhile, Teixeira, 41, has finally earned a second crack at the title. The Brazilian failed to capture the light heavyweight belt in April 2014, when he was defeated by then-champion Jon Jones at UFC 172. In the fights that followed, Teixeira saw mixed results, until he went on an incredible five-fight winning streak. In his most recent two outings, Texiera finished two former title challengers. After a brutal beatdown of Anthony Smith in April 2020, Teixeira submitted Thiago Santos in September.
Shortly after the announcement, Teixeira issued a statement on Twitter which voiced his pleasure in finally getting his second stab at title status.
Hard work pays off I’m so happy and ready September 4 UFC light heavy weight champion
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) April 14, 2021