Introduction
UFC 172: Jones vs. Teixeira. April 26, 2014. Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, Maryland. The first UFC event in Baltimore. Jon Jones defended the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Glover Teixeira by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) in five rounds, his seventh consecutive LHW title defence — a new record. The previous record of six was his own, set at UFC 165.
Jones was dominant throughout, opening a horrific diagonal gash above Teixeira’s right eye with a standing elbow in round one. He used axe kicks, oblique kicks, spinning back kicks, and jabs throughout five rounds. Teixeira showed heart and landed shots, but Jones controlled the distance consistently. Post-fight, Teixeira revealed he had broken a rib and potentially injured his shoulder during the fight.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: April 26, 2014
Venue: Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, Maryland, USA (FIRST UFC IN BALTIMORE)
Main Event: Jon Jones (c) vs. Glover Teixeira — UFC LHW Championship (5 rounds; Teixeira on 20-fight win streak entering)
Result: Jones def. Teixeira — UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) — RECORD 7th consecutive LHW title defence; Jones dominant shutout
Notable: 19,324 fans (Baltimore record); Gomi/Vallie-Flagg FOTN; Benavidez + Beal POTN; $50k bonuses; Rockhold, Miller, Holloway sub finishes
The Build-Up
Teixeira had gone undefeated for 20 consecutive fights entering UFC 172. He was considered a legitimate threat based on his one-punch knockout power and strong ground game. Jones' last fight — the survival against Gustafsson — had raised questions about his vulnerability. Before the fight, Jones danced to a Ray Lewis tribute song for the Baltimore crowd, paying homage to the Baltimore Ravens legend.
Main Event
Jon Jones (c) vs. Glover Teixeira — UFC LHW Championship
Jones opened with a right elbow in round one that opened a deep diagonal cut above Teixeira's right eye. The wound affected Teixeira for the remainder of the fight. Jones mixed axe kicks, oblique kicks, spinning back kicks, and clinch elbows throughout all five rounds. Teixeira pressed forward with combinations but Jones consistently neutralised his pressure with distance control and cage work. The 50-45 scorecards on all three cards reflected the one-sidedness of the performance.
Co-Main Event
Anthony Johnson vs. Phil Davis — Light Heavyweight
Johnson returned to the UFC after a two-year absence and immediately reasserted himself as a LHW contender, controlling Phil Davis through all three rounds with striking combinations and ring generalship. All three judges scored it 30-27 for Johnson.
Full Results
Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Danny Castillo def. Charlie Brenneman — KO (Punch) — R2, 0:21 — LW
Chris Beal def. Patrick Williams — KO (Flying Knee) — R2, 1:51 — BW; POTN ($50k to Beal)
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)
Joseph Benavidez def. Tim Elliott — Submission (Guillotine Choke) — R1, 4:08 — Flyweight; POTN ($50k to Benavidez)
Takanori Gomi def. Isaac Vallie-Flagg — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 (29-28 x3) — LW; FOTN ($50k each)
Bethe Correia def. Jessamyn Duke — Decision (Unanimous) — R3 — WBW
Main Card (PPV)
Max Holloway def. Andre Fili — Submission (Guillotine Choke) — R3, 3:39 — FW
Jim Miller def. Yancy Medeiros — Submission (Guillotine Choke) — R1, 3:18 — LW
Luke Rockhold def. Tim Boetsch — Submission (Kimura) — R1, 2:08 — MW
Anthony Johnson def. Phil Davis — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 (30-27 x3) — LHW; Co-Main
UFC LHW Championship (5 rounds) — Main Event
Jon Jones def. Glover Teixeira — Decision (Unanimous) — R5, 5:00 (50-45 x3) — LHW Championship; RECORD 7th consecutive defence; Jones dominates; Teixeira broken rib + shoulder
Bonuses & Awards
Fight of the Night: Takanori Gomi vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg — $50,000 to each fighter.
Performance Night: Joseph Benavidez (sub win over Elliott) + Chris Beal (flying knee KO of Williams) — $50,000 each.
Records & Milestones
Jones — 7th consecutive LHW title defence; the record he set at UFC 165 (6th) was his own; the 7th surpassed it. Most consecutive title defences at 205 lbs in UFC history.
First UFC in Baltimore — Baltimore Arena; the UFC’s entry into the mid-Atlantic Maryland market.
Legacy & Impact
UFC 172 was Jones at his most controlled after the near-miss against Gustafsson. He had gone five rounds for the first time at UFC 165. Against Teixeira, he produced a 50-45 shutout of a challenger with a 20-fight win streak. The elbows that opened Teixeira's eye in round one, the oblique kicks throughout, and the clinch control across five complete rounds were the product of preparation for a specific opponent.
FAQ
Was UFC 172 the first UFC in Baltimore?
Yes. UFC 172 at the Baltimore Arena on April 26, 2014, was the first numbered UFC event in Baltimore, Maryland.
What record did Jones set at UFC 172?
Jones set the record for the most consecutive LHW title defences in UFC history with seven. He had previously tied his own record at six defences at UFC 165.
Was Glover Teixeira a legitimate challenger at UFC 172?
Yes. Teixeira had won 20 consecutive fights before UFC 172, the longest active unbeaten streak of any UFC LHW. He had never previously been knocked out or submitted.
Why did Jones dance before his fight at UFC 172?
Jones performed a brief tribute to Ray Lewis — the Baltimore Ravens linebacker who had recently retired — for the Baltimore crowd. The dance and tribute were well-received by fans in the arena.
How did Teixeira describe his injuries after UFC 172?
Post-fight, Teixeira revealed he had broken a rib and believed he may have sustained a shoulder injury during the fight, crediting Jones for the damage.