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Meet Tallison Teixeira, the Brazilian giant who debuts at UFC 312 against a veteran heavyweight

In an exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS, the heavyweight assured that he is ready to shine in Australia; the fighter will appear this Saturday (08) against Justin Tafa

Tallison Xicão in victory at Contender Series. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

At 25 years old, 2 meters tall and with a 2,11 meters wingspan, the giant Tallison Teixeira, better known as 'Xicão', is preparing for his long-awaited debut in the Ultimate. Hired via Contender Series in 2024, the Brazilian who enchanted Dana White will step into the octagon this Saturday (08) in a truck crash with justin tafa on the main card of UFC 312.

Academy representative 'Team lucas mineiro', Xicão, who is undefeated with seven victories, all of which were by quick route in the first round, spoke in an exclusive interview with SUPER FIGHTS, about his motivation to shine in Australia; he told his first steps towards becoming a professional MMA fighter and revealed his plans for the future in the organization.

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After provocation from Sean Strickland, Weili Zhang issues warning for UFC 312. Photo: Reproduction/X

“I come from a jiu-jitsu background, I started when I was eight years old. Even though I’ve been changing more in my recent MMA fights, I still say that my main focus is jiu-jitsu. Out of five training sessions, at least four are jiu-jitsu. I always thought about becoming a jiu-jitsu athlete, but it turned out that when I was a brown belt I was a bit unmotivated, not wanting to pursue a career in jiu-jitsu, and my teacher Lino Barros ended up giving me the opportunity to move to MMA, and I accepted. I went to the countryside of São Paulo, to Rio Preto, I did Muay Thai and kickboxing fights and soon after I made my debut in professional MMA.”

Fight on the ground or standing?

Aware that he has the ability to turn around standing or on the ground, Talisson explained how he adapts to his opponent during confrontations.

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“I don’t mind taking him down, just as I don’t mind keeping him in the exchange. When you understand that it’s MMA, there’s no need to take him down. I have to go where the fight is easiest for me. We do MMA, you have to make the fight as easy as possible for you and as difficult as possible for your opponent.”

Tallison Xicão knocked out his opponent in front of Dana White. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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Opportunity to fight in the Contender Series

Managed by Jorge Guimarães, the same businessman as Alex Poatán, the Brazilian told what it was like to receive the news that he would finally have the opportunity to perform in front of Dana White, at the Contender Series.

“In my last LFA fight, I asked for the champion, because I knew that as the LFA champion they would give me an opportunity in Contender. So I left the fight asking for the champion (…) a week or two went by and my boxing teacher sent me an athlete’s record out of the blue and then I asked: ‘Hey, so, when’s the next fight going to be? Will it be in LFA?’ and he said: ‘No, it’s going to be in Contender.’ I thought he was joking, messing around. I called, asked again and he said it would be in Contender, as he had promised me three years ago. He said it in the coldest way possible and I lost sleep. It’s hard to sleep to this day,” he joked.

Tallison Teixeira with Jorge Guimarães (center) and A. Poatan's team. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @jorgeguimaraes

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Ready to put on a show in the octagon

Like many fighters, Talisson also felt the great nervousness of literally fighting for the chance to receive a contract. Despite being new to the sport, the Bahian showed that he understands how business works in the UFC.

“Without a doubt (it made me nervous). If you stop to think about it, I was watching Contender a week before my fight. The guy fought twice, won both fights and wasn’t hired. And then I was like, ‘I’ll win and not get hired. You’re not in the organization, you’re getting the opportunity, and you win and you’re not hired, it must be very frustrating. Besides winning, you still have to put on a show. ”

Delayed debut and 'welcome' injury

Previously cast to face Lukasz Brzeski In December 2024, Xicão had to postpone the day of his first official fight due to a serious injury. Despite the unfortunate event, the athlete saw the reason for the episode in a positive light.

“I partially tore my knee ligament. That ended up forcing me out of the fight. I tore it while training, doing jiu-jitsu, and unfortunately the injury happened. What made me sad was because I was going to debut on my birthday. I always put God first. I believe that if it happened, He had better plans for me. I see Tafa as a good opportunity to debut because if I win, I will be in a higher level. I will fight at his home, I think it will be even more interesting because there will be a lot of people rooting for him, which is natural, but I think he is a good opponent for this debut.”

Tallison Xicão was injured and left the fight scheduled for UFC 310, in 2024. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

Favorite in UFC debut

Once again the favorite with the bookmakers, Talisson ignored his status and assured that he was aware of the dangers to be experienced when inside the octagon.

“Some people might think, ‘Oh, I’m the favorite, so I’ll go in more relaxed,’ which I don’t agree with. Fighting is 50/50, you can win, you can lose, there are two people, one will come out with the victory and the other with the defeat. So I try not to think about that and work every day, day after day, to be able to come out with the victory.”

justin tafa is Tallison's next opponent in the UFC 312. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The belt is right there

When asked about his ideal path in the UFC, Teixeira did not hesitate to pursue the biggest dreams possible and predicted that in three or four years he will have a belt buckled on his body.

“I see myself becoming the champion of the organization. Obviously, not now. I think I’m one of the youngest in the division, I’m still 25, I believe I have a long way to go, but I believe that in three or four years I’ll be the champion of the division and become one of the biggest names. I don’t intend to talk much, I’m very much myself, I know there are people who like to provoke one here and one there, like the Tafa brothers do, but just as they don’t get on my nerves, I also don’t talk much about the other. Whoever gets in my way, unfortunately for them, but I’ll get over it, it’s part of life.”

Talisson Teixeira debuts this Saturday (08) at UFC 312. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

Biggest motivation: family

Finally, the newcomer stated that his biggest motivation is to fight to give a better life to his family, especially his mother, who rarely sees him.

“I hope that in a year, a year and a half, I can retire my mother so that she doesn’t have to worry about working anymore, because unfortunately she still has to work. I want to give her a better life, to keep her closer to me because she’s still in Bahia and I’m in São Paulo. Last year we only saw each other three times. And I value my family very much.”

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