And Teixeira – who fights Alex Gustafsson on May 28 in Stockholm – can see the financial potential of a boxing showdown with London’s Olympic hero.
When asked about Manuwa’s attempt at switching sports, Teixeira said: “I didn’t see the Manuwa fight, I was in Brazil with my family so I didn’t see it.
Teixeira would accept a boxing match if the money made senseGetty ImagesLondonder Jimi Manuwa called out David Haye after his latest winGetty ImagesTexeira reckons he could knock out Anthony Joshua if he caught with a sweet shotGetty Images
“At the end of the day everyone is looking to make money. McGregor does it, Mayweather does it, we are all doing it to do better in our life.
“Today MMA is a sport and a business but not many people have the love and respect for mixed martial arts. It’s about money.
“If the guys offer me the chance to fight Anthony Joshua – and they offer me a lot of money – then of course I am going to fight him.
Texeira was knocked out by Anthony Johnson after just 13 seconds but made a winning comebackGetty ImagesAJ faces Wladimir Klitscko on home soil for a massive heavyweigh fight in AprilPA:Press Association
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“If I think that is the fight that will get me money and can really happen then of course I would be calling him out.
“It’s about business. We have to take care of our families and futures and money helps.
“Why not get this fight and make a few million. I think it’s all about money, those guys don’t really care about the sport of boxing.
“Boxing is a different sport but those guys are asking because there could be a lot of money in it, that’s all.
Joshua has steamrolled through his opponents with an unblemished recordGetty ImagesDillion Whyte appeared to trouble the Olympic champ during their grudge match but AJ got the stoppage winGetty Images
“I’d fight in boxing for a lot of money but my sport is MMA and I love it and I think it’s the ultimate sport.”
It was a shock to hear the Connecticut-based Brazilian MMA legend mention Joshua’s growing name as he is yet to take his boxing skills outside the UK.
But the 31-fight warrior - who has won over a dozen of his wars with punch stoppages - is well aware of AJ’s fearsome reputation but still says he can knock him out.
He said: “I have watched Joshua, he is incredible. But In boxing there is always a chance, I will never say there is no chance.
“If I take the fight I am going to take that chance. If I hit him in the right spot then I know he is going to go down.
“I know I have the power to knock out anyone. To be honest the guy is an amazing boxer.
“I think right now Joshua is the No1 heavyweight in the world.
"I don’t think he is one the best in the era but at this time I think he can beat anyone in the heavyweight boxing division.”
Tickets to UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: GUSTAFSSON vs. TEIXEIRA will go on general sale on Friday, March 31 at 09:00 a.m. BST. Tickets can be purchased via AXS
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