Jan Blachowicz to Defend Light Heavyweight Crown vs. Glover Teixeira at UFC 266 on Sept. 4

Jan Blachowicz will make his second light heavyweight championship defense against Glover Teixeira at UFC 266 on Sept. 4.

UFC president Dana White confirmed the bout to broadcast partner ESPN on Wednesday. A location and venue for event has not been revealed. It's also unclear if Blachowicz vs. Teixeira will headline the card.

Blachowicz defended the crown for the first time with a five-round verdict over reigning 185-pound king Israel Adesanya at UFC 259. The 38-year-old WCA Fight Team representative claimed the vacant light heavyweight strap with a second-round technical knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 in September 2020. Blachowicz has won nine of his last 10 Octagon appearances dating back to October 2017.

This will be Teixeira’s second bid for light heavyweight gold after losing a five-round verdict to then champ Jon Jones at UFC 172 in April 2014. The 41-year-old Brazilian has been resurgent of late, compiling a five-bout winning streak dating back to a first-round submission of Karl Roberson in January 2019. Most recently, Teixeira tapped out former No. 1 contender Thiago Santos in the UFC on ESPN 17 main event on Nov. 7.