Glover Teixeira will be watching UFC 300 very closely.
All settled into retirement, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion will watch his pupil Alex Pereira go to work against an all too familiar foe in Jamahal Hill.
Hill encountered both Teixeira and Pereira (in his corner) at UFC 283, where he challenged the former champ for the vacant strap. Hill largely dominated across the distance, capturing UFC gold and retiring Teixeira in the end.
Pereira famously stared down Hill inside the Octagon that night and he'll have a chance to avenge his fallen friend's defeat on Apr. 13.
As for exactly how he'll do it in his first title defense, coach Teixeira is keeping the answer simple.
“The game-plan is turn up and knock him out," Teixeira told Combat Sports UK's Patrick McCorry. "This is it, easy."
Hill (12-1) is no slouch heading into his second title fight ever. 'Sweet Dreams' slept three opponents in a row before putting the lid on Teixeira's career in Jan. 2023.
The only thing preventing Hill from being the best in the world was a ruptured Achilles injury that forced him to vacate his new title, similar to Jiri Prochazka the year before.
Now the recovered 32-year-old is back in a big way with the coveted UFC 300 main event slot.
Teixeira is sure to recognize Hill's talent, having gone five rounds with him in his last outing. However, the Brazilian still thinks Hill is no match for the power of 'Poatan'.
“He’s a great fighter," Teixeira said of Hill. "Good on the ground, he’s athletic, he’s got great boxing, good power and he’s a young guy in the game. He’s a good fighter... it’s just Alex’s striking is in a different dimension and his wrestling and jiu-jitsu is getting so good in every fight.
"It’s too much for Jamahal," Teixeira assessed.
Defending champion Pereira is 6-1 in the UFC so far with a lone KO loss to Israel Adesanya in 2023.
Will Alex Pereira's abilities prove to be too much for Jamahal Hill? Or will the former champ Jamahal Hill pull off the upset of the ages and reclaim what was once his?
If you use any quotes from this article, please leave an H/T to MMAKnockout.com for the transcription.
More must-reads: