UFC 129 Fight Card: WEC Fighter Glover Teixeira Says "Lyoto Is Ready"

WEC fighter Glover Teixeira has been alongside Lyoto Machida in preparation for his bout against Randy Couture at UFC 129. 

Teixeira holds a bit of a connection towards his partner's opponent, as he was a former sparring partner of former UFC light heavyweight champion, Chuck Liddell, who holds two knockout victories over Couture. 

The experience Teixeira holds from sparring with Liddell has the Brazilian believing Machida will look for the knockout this time around.

"Lyoto is looking more for a knockout. He can’t let the judges decide it, because if there’s a draw or a decision is needed, Couture will win. He’s a legend in the U.S.,” Teixeira said in an interview on Sherdog.com.

Machida is currently on a two-fight losing streak, as he suffered his most recent loss to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson via decision at UFC 123 last fall. It is that bout, which Teixeira said, he thinks has motivated the former light heavyweight champion to regain his form. 

“If he fights the way he did in the third round against Jackson, believing in himself, he will win and get back on track to the belt. He has to be aggressive and confident,” Teixeira said. 

And while Couture is a strategist and effective in the clinch, Teixeira said Machida will be ready for whatever his opponent has planned for him.

“Lyoto is ready,” he said. “He has a good ground game, so even if Randy puts him down, he will be able to survive and stand up again. He just can’t get into the clinch game. The old man is dirty, and he deserves respect. I believe Machida will knock him out in the second or third round.” 

UFC 129 takes place at the Rogers Centre and will be headlined by a UFC welterweight title bout featuring Georges St-Pierre defending his title against welterweight contender, Jake Shields.