Glover Teixeira is interviewed by Daniel Cormier after his title win at UFC 267. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Daniel Cormier admitted tearing up after UFC legend ‘broke the rules’ to become champion at 42

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Oct 30, 2025 11:48 AM ET

One of the most heartwarming UFC title crownings took place on this day four years ago.

The talk of the town remains this past Saturday’s UFC 321 pay-per-view, which saw the promotion’s latest trip to Abu Dhabi end in disaster after Ciryl Gane poked Tom Aspinall in the eye.

That no contest ensured UFC 321 would not join a number of memorable conclusions to the annual October numbered events at Etihad Arena, from Islam Makhachev’s submission against Charles Oliveira to become lightweight champion to the Dagestani’s head-kick knockout versus Alexander Volkanovski.

But it can be argued that nothing has topped what occurred in 2021, when one UFC veteran made history almost two decades into his career.

Glover Teixeira became the oldest first-time champion in UFC history

On this day, October 30, in 2021, the UFC 267 event took place in Abu Dhabi. The likes of Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev, Alexander Volkov, and Petr Yan all competed on the card, which aired free on ESPN+.

With no PPV main card, plenty of extra eyeballs were tuned in as Glover Teixeira completed a record-breaking and shocking ascent to the light heavyweight throne in the headliner.

Teixeira submitted Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267, becoming champion at the age of 42. The result put the Brazilian into the history books as the oldest first-time titleholder in the promotion’s history.

While being interviewed inside the Octagon by Daniel Cormier, who admitted to tearing up as Teixeira celebrated the record-breaking victory, the newly crowned 205-pound king addressed his veteran status and claimed to be ‘breaking the rules’.

“We were talking about Dana (White) today, how he promotes the UFC, how he breaks the rules and that’s why the UFC is what it is,” Teixeira said.

“I’m breaking the rules — 42 years old — and I’m going to keep breaking those rules!”

UFC 267 Blachowicz vs Teixeira Flashback
We're back in Abu Dhabi next Saturday! Here's what happend this time last year at UFC 267!
Posted by UFC on Sunday, October 16, 2022

Francis Ngannou said Glover Teixeira aged like ‘fine wine’ as UFC stars reacted to the historic title win

Not many UFC results have brought out the amount of fighter reactions as the 2021 main event in Abu Dhabi did.

A number of prominent pros praised Teixeira’s UFC 267 performance on social media, with some branding him an “inspiration” for what he achieved at the age of 42.

“Glover Teixeira is like a fine wine, the older he gets the better he is. This man is unbelievable!!! Congratulations champ,” Francis Ngannou wrote.

“Love you brother! So proud of you and your hard work,” Chuck Liddell posted.

“Big congrats to @gloverteixeira on the victory. Well earned,” Tony Ferguson said.

“Never give up. Congrats @gloverteixeira. You are an inspiration,” Merab Dvalishvili wrote.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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