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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 13: Glover Teixeira enters the arena before his light heavyweight fight against Fabio Maldonado at UFC 153 inside HSBC Arena on October 13, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Glover Teixeira

TRAINING: Every day at 9 AM I wake up and run. At 12 PM I train sparring and technique with John Hackleman. At night I usually train conditioning and wrestling.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started in 2002, after watching a lot of fights. Watching Royce Gracie in the UFC as a kid, I knew I wanted to be a fighter.

What ranks and titles have you held? Sportfight Champion, and a lot of victories at Abu Dhabi Combat Club

Do you have any heroes? Chuck Liddell is a guy who I have looked up to for some time. I met him as a Champion already and he has taught me a lot. I admire him as a fighter inside and outside of the cage.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means everything to me to be in the UFC.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? None

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked in the farms in Brazil, and have also worked as a lumberjack.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? My fight against Ricco Rodriguez was a great accomplishment for me. I had trained with Peter Aerts for the fight and said I would KO him with a head kick. That fight meant a lot.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Jiu-Jitsu black belt

Favorite grappling technique: Chokes

Favorite Striking technique: Left hook