UFC's Glover Teixeira '100%' After COVID-19 Diagnosis; Thiago Santos Fight off

Glover Teixeira pulled out of his fight with Thiago Santos on Sept. 12 after testing positive for COVID-19, according to ESPN's Ariel Helwani.

Helwani reported Teixeira is "feeling 100%" and that UFC is tentatively planning to have him fight Santos on Oct. 3.

Teixeira and Santos were originally supposed to be the headliner for UFC Fight Night 177. Now that honor will likely fall to Michelle Waterson and Angela Hill based on how UFC has been promoting the event.

UFC Fight Night 179 already has a main-event bout, with Holly Holm opposing Irene Aldana. Since it will be moving down the card, Helwani noted Teixeira vs. Santos won't be a five-round affair.

Santos sits No. 2 in UFC's official light heavyweight rankings, with Teixeira two spots lower at No. 4. The division has a massive power vacuum at the top after Jon Jones vacated the light heavyweight championship earlier this month.

The winner of October's fight will make a big statement as UFC considers where to go next once a new champion is crowned between Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz at UFC 253 on Sept. 26.

In his most recent bout, Santos lost a split decision to Jones at UFC 239 in July 2019. Teixeira is riding a four-fight winning streak, beating Anthony Smith by fifth-round TKO in May in his last appearance.