Ex-Title Challenger Glover Teixeira Avoids Shoulder Surgery Following UFC 172 Injury

Mike WhitmanMay 15, 2014
Glover Teixeira will not need surgery on the shoulder he injured at UFC 172. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com



Contrary to the initial expectation, Glover Teixeira will not require surgery on his injured shoulder.

The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger recently announced the news via social media.

“Great news today from [my doctor],” Teixeira tweeted. “No surgery needed on my shoulder right now. Thank [you] everyone for the support!”

Jon Jones injured Teixeira’s right shoulder in their UFC 172 main event, catching the native Brazilian’s arm in a standing crank during the opening period. Jones would go on to win a clear-cut unanimous decision, earning scores of 50-45 across the board to retain his belt.

Prior to that setback, Teixeira had won 20 consecutive fights, five of which came in the UFC. After clearing up long-standing visa issues that delayed his Octagon foray, Teixeira debuted with the Las Vegas-based promotion in 2012, besting Kyle Kingsbury, Fabio Maldonado, James Te Huna and Quinton Jackson before stopping Ryan Bader last September to earn his shot at Jones’ title.