Jon Jones and the status of the light heavyweight division is still very much in flux despite the UFC coming to an agreement on a new Jorge Masvidal deal for at least this weekend’s title fight.
However, that hasn’t stopped UFC president Dana White from working to put together a bout with gigantic title implications this September. The UFC is working on booking No. 5-ranked Glover Teixeira against No. 2-ranked Thiago Santos.
The 40-year-old Teixeira has rattled off four consecutive wins, with the latest being a one-sided beatdown of former No. 1 contender Anthony Smith. He’ll face stiff competition in Santos, who is expected to return from injury after a controversial loss to Jones in 2019, when he tore literally everything in his knee — his ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus. Despite appearing to suffer the knee injury early in the second round, Santos went the distance and dropped a split decision to the champ.
With a full bill of health, Santos has eyes on returning to the title picture. But after his 18-year professional career and just one opportunity at the division crown — a 2014 loss to Jon Jones — there’s no doubt Teixeira is ready to leave it all out on the mat for one last shot at UFC gold.