UFC Brooklyn: Karl Roberson Says Glover Teixeira Has no “Choice But to Bang” in Tonight’s Scrap

Karl Roberson is moving up to light-heavyweight to face Glover Teixeira tonight at UFC Brooklyn, and the New Jersey fighter says the Brazilian contender’s locked into a stand-up fight…

Teixeira was originally booked to take on Ion Cutelaba tonight, but the latter recently had to withdraw due to an injury. Roberson, who has been competing at middleweight, answered the short notice call and agreed to face the UFC’s #12 ranked 205’er.

Well, while speaking to the media recently about tonight’s contest, Roberson had this to say (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“This isn’t a technical fight. This is going to be a war. We can’t prepare for each other, so it’s pretty much bite down on the mouthpiece, sling some punches, and who goes to sleep.”

“Everybody thinks they’re going to change until they get hit, right, and then it turns into a slugfest,” Roberson said. “So I’m going to bring him back to his old ways, and he’s going to try and take me out.”

“He’s not going to have a choice but to bang with me,” Roberson said. “I’m faster, younger and I have way better conditioning than he does.”

It will be interesting to see if the bout plays out in the fashion Roberson thinks. While Teixeira has heavy hands, he also has underrated wrestling and a ridiculously dangerous top-game. So, the rugged vet may look to take Roberson down. Judging by the comments above, however, Roberson doesn’t see that happening.

Roberson will be fighting for the first time since November when he earned a decision win over Jack Marshman. That win moved his record to 7-1 and his UFC record to 2-1.

Teixeira (27-7), meanwhile, is coming off a decision loss to Corey Anderson in July, who is a training partner of Roberson’s. The perennial contender is 2-3 in his last 5 bouts.

Here is the complete line-up for tonight’s card in Brooklyn.