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Teixeira plans to retire after 2 title defenses

Chris Unger / UFC / Getty

UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira could be in his final year as an MMA fighter.

Teixeira, who's set to defend his title for the first time against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 275 on June 11, said he plans to fight once more after that and then retire.

"The perfect plan would be winning this fight, which I have full focus on, and fighting one last time in November, in New York, which is close to the city I (have lived in) for 20 years, and close to my gym," Teixeira told Combate's "Mundo da Luta" podcast, as translated by MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz.

"It would be my farewell from fighting. That's what I'm thinking right now."

At 42 years old, Teixeira became the oldest first-time champion in UFC history with a submission win over Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267 last October. The Brazilian is the second-oldest champ ever behind Randy Couture, who held UFC gold at the age of 45.

"Regardless of being at the top, being the best of the world or not, I want to stop this year," Teixeira said. "It will probably be my last year."

Should Teixeira successfully defend his belt against Prochazka in Singapore, it's unclear who his next challenger would be. Blachowicz has a case for a rematch after beating Aleksandar Rakic by TKO in last weekend's UFC Fight Night main event. Meanwhile, Anthony Smith and Magomed Ankalaev are set to meet July 30 in what could be a No. 1 contender bout.

The UFC hasn't announced a New York event for 2022, though the promotion's five Madison Square Garden shows have all taken place in November.

Teixeira trains out of Connecticut.

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