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Hackleman: Teixeira can knock Jones out

ESPN staff
June 11, 2013
Glover Teixeira has only suffered two defeats in 23 MMA bouts © Getty Images
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Coach John Hackleman believes his fighter Glover Teixeira has the power to knock out anyone in the light-heavyweight division, including UFC champion Jon Jones.

Hackleman, famed for his partnership with former light-heavyweight and UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell, insists that 33-year-old Teixeira has the ability to floor any rival.

The Brazilian wrestler, who has suffered only two defeats in 23 professional MMA bouts, saw off the challenge of James Te Huna at UFC 160 in May, and now Hackleman would love to see him tackle Jones in the Octagon.

"He [Teixeira] is a really good wrestler, has unbelievable jiu jitsu, black belt and multiple tournament winner," Hackleman told MMA Fight Corner. "To top it off he's a beast when it comes to conditioning.

"He's going to be a hard guy to beat, but Jon Jones is as well. It would definitely be an interesting matchup and I think Glover would love to take that fight.

"I think Jon Jones is great. I think anyone's beatable. A couple of people have come close, maybe if that armbar was a little better from Vitor [Belfort], or if Lyoto [Machida] stayed a little more aggressive with his punches, anybody can get beat.

"If anybody could hit him [Jones] in the chin just right that would be one thing. Vitor came pretty close, caught him in a submission. I think Glover can beat anyone because he has such hard hitting that that could change any aspect of any fight because he has that one-punch knockout power.

"Anyone can knock anyone out if they get hit just right, but some people just have that one-punch knockout power and it's easier for them to knock people out."

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