UFC Fight Night 28 may not have been the deepest card on paper, but when it came to the top of the heap, Wednesday's stars all passed their tests with flying colors.

The heavy-handed trio of Glover Teixeira, Jacare Souza and Joseph Benavidez joined forces to steamroll its way through back-to-back-to-back first-round finishes, capping off the action from Belo Horizonte, Brazil with a flurry of bruised jaws and swollen fists. For Souza and Benavidez, the performance inched each man closer to his ultimate goal -- a UFC title shot.

Yet for Teixeira, the powerful 33-year-old who stormed back from early trouble to flatten Ryan Bader and ignite a hometown crowd, the victory proved to be the final step in his long journey to the top. Next stop: the winner of Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson. And not surprisingly, the champ had something to say.

Bader got way too excited.. Cost him that fight.. Gotta stay relaxed out there — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) September 5, 2013

I don't mind people thinking I'm going to lose just come at me with something logical — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) September 5, 2013

I think he's a lot like rampage just with better grappling "@jameskealy1: @JonnyBones what do you think of Glover?" — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) September 5, 2013

Holy shit!!!!! What a war!!! I thought Glover was getting KO'd and BOOM!!! Bader looked good — Dana White (@danawhite) September 5, 2013

Bader brought it! Glover wins again. Want to see him fight winner of jones /Gustafson — TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) September 5, 2013

Thought @ryanbader had him ! Looked good , just didn't go his way. — CB Dollaway (@cbdollaway) September 5, 2013

Beautiful counter. I thought he was dizzy but great recovery. He was totally aware!! — Tarec Saffiedine (@tarecfighter) September 5, 2013

I really like watching Glover Texiera fight..great power and well rounded ! But I don't know if he has the speed to beat Jones or GUS : / — Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) September 5, 2013

Look how much power Glover has dude…just put Bader down with both his feet almost parallel against the fence. #UFC — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) September 5, 2013

@gloverteixeira so proud of you pal. Miss your face. Can't wait till you have the belt — Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) September 5, 2013

@ryanbader had him hurt and were a cm away from finishing him with that uppercut!!Love ya buddy,he landed a lucky shot with his eyes closed — Gian Villante (@GPVillante) September 5, 2013

Excelente vitoria do nosso @gloverteixeira ! Excelent fight on UFC Brasil Main event ... Congrat guys — Rodrigo Nogueira (@Minotauromma) September 5, 2013

Achei o Glover meio tenso na entrada mas graças a Deus deu tudo Certo. Força para o nosso irmão Formiga que volte melhor na próxima ! — Eduardo Dantas (@DuduDantasMMA) September 5, 2013

I'm extremely impressed with @ryanbader performance. You looked amazing. Just just got caught. I love you buddy. You'll be back. — Kyle Kingsbury (@Kingsbu) September 5, 2013

@ryanbader fought like a G! He was super tough and you came out hard! Better luck next time. — Seth Baczynski (@Sethbmma) September 5, 2013

FEAR THE GATOR

Jacre is the REAL DEAL!!!!!!! Wow destroying Okami is a BIG DEAL!!!! — Dana White (@danawhite) September 5, 2013

Jacare looking dangerous as! Hate to fight him — James Te Huna (@JamesTeHuna) September 5, 2013

Jacare is something serious, he keeps getting better. I mean no one has ever mowed Down yushin like that. — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) September 5, 2013

Jacare is a beast!!! Will be Champion soon!!! — Abel Trujillo (@AbelTrujillo1) September 5, 2013

So okami and jacare both look like extras from the walking dead, evil looking sons a bitches. — michael (@bisping) September 5, 2013

185 just loaded with guys to challenge for a title. — TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) September 5, 2013

Wow impressive stuff from jacare there. — michael (@bisping) September 5, 2013

Jacare is moving up the ufc ranks quickly. Possible title shot in the near future. — Phillipe Nover (@PhillipeNover) September 5, 2013

"@danawhite: Jacre is the REAL DEAL!!!!!!! Wow destroying Okami is a BIG DEAL!!!!" Thanks boss looking forward to my next Fight ! — Ronaldo Jacaré (@JacareMMA) September 5, 2013

KEEPIN' TEAM ALPHA MALE'S STREAK ALIVE

That's what I'm talkin bout baby!!!! U r a beast @JoeJitsu great job buddy now get home and lets do that grub crawl! — chad mendes (@chadmendes) September 5, 2013

Nice @JoeJitsu with another outstanding performance!! Showing off his @BANGMuayThai skills. TITLE SHOT as well?!! — TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) September 5, 2013

WOW!!! Alpha male 17-0 now since Bang Ludwig — Dana White (@danawhite) September 5, 2013

Get right in there Yamasaki !! Lol he just shooed joe away with one arm. @JoeJitsu impressive as always — TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) September 5, 2013

I was busy training but I heard my friend @JoeJitsu got fucking busy tonight as expected. Well played sir ... Well played — Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) September 5, 2013

I teach UFC — Duane Ludwig (@DUANEBANGCOM) September 5, 2013

NEVER DOUBT POLISH LIVERS

Wow!!! Great comeback by Hallmann — Dana White (@danawhite) September 5, 2013

Beautiful submission! — James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) September 5, 2013

Nice job by Hallman! U dont have to watch a @ufc in brasil, u just listen to the silent/screaming crowd and u know who won the fight. — Tarec Saffiedine (@tarecfighter) September 5, 2013

That was a great comeback by Hallmann. — michael (@bisping) September 5, 2013

NATAL ZOMBIFIES TROENG

This guy Tor can take a brick to the face and he won't stop coming. #ToughDude #UFC — Phillipe Nover (@PhillipeNover) September 4, 2013

Tor is in zombie jitz defense mode — roland delorme UFC (@rolanddelorme1) September 4, 2013

Tor is TOUGH as hell!!! @FOXSports1 — Dana White (@danawhite) September 4, 2013

Tough fight @ThorTheHammer Showed he could hang with a beast on the ground. Great exchanges respect for going to Brazil & putting on a show — Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) September 5, 2013

You'd think this fight was on top of a mountain ! #UFCFightNight — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) September 4, 2013

What a fight!!!!!!! I love these back and forth fights!!!!!!! @ufc — Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) September 4, 2013

Tough fight brother. Lots of heart, congrats on bonus"@ThorTheHammer:@danawhite Thanks for the kind words and the bonus. Appreciate it alot" — Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) September 5, 2013

Thanks for the support! It always sucks to lose ,but I'll be back better and stronger! Also big thanks to @rafaelsaponatal for a great fight — Tor Troeng (@ThorTheHammer) September 5, 2013

FLYWEIGHT POWER

Wow that little guy Ali can bang. — michael (@bisping) September 4, 2013

These Dagistani boys @TeamKhabib and @AliPuncherKing are for real!!!!!! Glad to see some -ISTAN countries doe well in the @UFC! — Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) September 4, 2013

KO and not one cheer or clap cause the Brazilian lost but then the guy misses the flip and the crowd cheers. LOL I love Brazil!!! — Dana White (@danawhite) September 4, 2013

The straight right should've had a stop sign on it ! #UFCFightNight — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) September 4, 2013

MARTINS GETS THE NIGHT STARTED