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[Sakara=Excitement]

Kyle Kingsbury: Glover Teixeira Is Best Light Heavyweight Not in UFC

Casual fans may not know of Glover Teixeira, but Kyle Kingsbury has high praise for the Brazilian’s accomplishments.

“He is, without question, the best light heavyweight not in the UFC,” Kingsbury recently told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Savage Dog Show.”

Of course, technically Teixeira is in the UFC now, and his debut is set for May 26 at UFC 146 -- against Kingsbury.

“Obviously, if you’re involved with the sport, you’ve heard of the name Glover Teixeira,” Kingsbury said. “I’ve heard a lot about him just because I did a couple of camps with Chuck [Liddell]. ... I became close with Chuck and John Hackleman and the whole family there at The Pit in [San Luis Obispo, Calif.], and they’d always tell me stories about Glover and what a great guy he is, how talented he is. It stinks having to fight him.”

Teixeira (Pictured) used to train with Liddell. A winner of 15 straight fights, he likely would have debuted in the UFC much earlier if not for visa issues that kept him in Brazil.

“In terms of people asking me, ‘What do you think of the guy? He’s just coming into the UFC. It’s his first fight in the UFC, and he hasn’t fought anybody at your level.’ I’m like, yeah, that might be true, but at the same time, I know what he’s worth,” Kingsbury said. “I’m taking him as serious as I’ve ever taken an opponent in my life.”

Kingsbury has been preparing for the bout at American Kickboxing Academy alongside former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, Strikeforce grand prix finalist Daniel Cormier and Mike Kyle.

“All four of us are all pushing it in high gear, training with each other, sparring, wrestling, grappling, doing the whole nine together,” Kingsbury said. “You have such high-level guys that are big bodies, and that to me is the rarest thing. You can go to other camps and find big guys to train with, but to find guys that are that high-level and have the size to match, it’s a rare thing.”

After getting outwrestled and controlled on the ground in a November loss to Stephan Bonnar, Kingsbury has been working with Cormier in particular. The former Olympic wrestler has helped Kingsbury’s ability to stay on his feet, which is where he wants to fight Teixeira.

“This camp has been more with Cormier just because we really feel -- without giving away too much information -- after the way I lost my last fight, we think there’s obviously a blueprint that’s been laid out for how to beat me,” Kingsbury said. “I think Glover’s a smart guy. He’s going to try to take it to the ground and use that black belt.”

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Glover's a total hoss. The hypetrain begins on Saturday. Get ready.

[KevoOnTheRadio]

FG has been on Texeira's nut's for a while now, so he must be the goods. But anything less than a first round TKO by Glover and I think you should change your AV just on general principle haha.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Originally Posted by KevoOnTheRadio

FG has been on Texeira's nut's for a while now, so he must be the goods. But anything less than a first round TKO by Glover and I think you should change your AV just on general principle haha.

LOL, deal. Although I think he'll KO Kingsbury within the first TWO, simply because I can't discount Kingbury's physicality, size and ability to take a punch, which may take Glover more than a round. I also wouldn't be surprised if Glover subs Kingsbury, he's scary all around.

I've been a big Glover fan for years upon years now and think now is the perfect timing for him to debut in the UFC, as he's just hitting his peak. I'm really excited for tomorrow night and love that he, SDR and Dave Herman are all on the same card, being that they've been my top 3 prospects for the past 4 years!

[Sakara=Excitement]

Oh if Glover loses...

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

Oh if Glover loses...

Teixeira=Excitement

[zana1126]

Is this guy actually putting Texeira over King Mo, Mousasi and Feijao? I know Texeira is good, but Kingsbury is only opening the umbrella before he gets his ass kicked big time on saturday.

[Sakara=Excitement]

Originally Posted by Fedorlei Gomipierre

Teixeira=Excitement

Oh I definitely agree and I've seen him fight quite a few times. I just hope that he wins because I REALLY don't want to talk you off the ledge.

But how many times have we seen the best of the best come over to the UFC and flounder?

[zana1126]

Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

Oh I definitely agree and I've seen him fight quite a few times. I just hope that he wins because I REALLY don't want to talk you off the ledge.

But how many times have we seen the best of the best come over to the UFC and flounder?

The answer is simple: They weren't the best of the best, just pumped up dumbasses.

[Badluck33]

Natasha Wicks.....

yum.