UFC is a sport of violence and sometimes bloodshed, but that does not stop the legendary fighters from making lifelong friendships. Few of these bonds shine through like the one between Glover Teixeria and Alex Pereira. The veteran fighter took in Pereira under his wing and now the UFC light heavyweight champion has been successful in avenging his mentor’s losses.
So how did they meet? What is their relationship really like? Let’s dive deep and find out!
Are Gloxer Teixeira and Alex Pereira related?
Some relations beyond bloodlines exist and are stronger than familial ones. And Teixeria’s bond with ‘Poatan’ is beyond blood relations. It’s a strong bond of friendship and being comrades in the same team. The retired and 33-9-0 light heavyweight star trains with Pereira for the latter’s UFC bouts. Their relationship is so strong now that Pereira even gifted Glover Teixeira a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He surprised his mentor and delivered the bike to the former light heavyweight champion’s house.
Teixeria even cornered his Brazilian friend at UFC 281 where ‘Poatan’ won and lifted the UFC middleweight belt after defeating Israel Adesanya. However, he did not have any interest in sharing the spotlight with him. He revealed the reason to MMA Junkie and said, “That’s (fighting on the same card) a little bit too much. I like to be there for him, and the same thing, he likes to be there for me. That’s why he didn’t fly to Brazil because of this fight. He was trying to go back to Brazil right away, but then he’s like, ‘ You know, I’m going to wait for your fight,’ and then he waited around and (the cancellation) happened. We’re there for each other, but if it happens, it happens. It would be a beautiful thing. We’d deal with any situation.”
October 5, 2024, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: ALEX PEREIRA speaks to the media after his 5-round Light Heavyweight Title Bout at UFC 307 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City USA – ZUMAs346 20241005_zsp_s346_123 Copyright: xAlejandroxSalazarx
Teixeria and Pereira’s coach and translator Plinio Cruz, are the pillars of his fight training. With their aid, Pereira avenged the last two losses on Glover Teixeira’s record – Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka. It is interesting how Teixeria and Pereira met and started this friendship. The gym in Connecticut was where they found their camaraderie and started training together.
Why did Alex Pereira start training with Glover Teixeira?
Pereira had a talk with ESPN in 2022, and clearly while speaking he felt at peace in the Connecticut gym since he found his community there. The training in Teixeira MMA & Fitness is harsh and gritty but the support and motivation from other teammates cancel out every other hardship. Teixeira opened the establishment almost 8 years ago with his wife, Ingrid. Their warmth and family vibe welcomes anyone who walks through the doors of the gym.
For Pereira, who, like Teixeira, is a native of Brazil, the bond inside the gym is almost familial. In fact, ‘Poatan’s’ sister Aline, also trains in the same gym. “We’re a family here, a good vibe, very friendly,” Teixeira said to ESPN. “But like Alex said, it is difficult. Hard work every day. It’s not for everyone, but Alex showed he belonged here the first time he came.”
In the Summer of 2020, Teixeria brought in Pereira to help him with the training for his own fight against Thiago Santos. Teixeira was high on a 4-fight winning streak and was on the brink of a title shot even after being at the twilight of his career at 40. So he needed the help of the power puncher with a killer left hook.
“He hits so hard,” Teixeira said to ESPN about his first sparring session with Pereira. “I’ve trained with heavyweights, and no one has a power like Alex.” So with this powerful bond still going strong now more than ever. Do you think Pereira can achieve his goals at UFC 313 against Magomed Ankalaev?
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