Alex Pereira has a remarkable approach towards his former opponents, even those who often engage in offensive behavior. In preparation for his upcoming fight against Abusupiyan Magomedov, the experienced middleweight veteran intends to welcome Sean Strickland for a training session in Connecticut.
During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Pereira revealed some breaking news. He shared, “Sean Strickland will be coming to Connecticut next week to train with me for his next fight. Additionally, I’ll be learning English from Sean Strickland.” This statement serves as Pereira’s playful reference to Strickland’s notoriety for his toxic online presence. Despite that, Pereira, known for knocking Strickland out cold in their UFC 276 bout, finds him to be a decent person. He expressed, “He may be a bit eccentric, but he treats me with respect, despite his tendency to criticize others.”
Strickland had previously reached out to Pereira for training assistance, but their schedules didn’t align. Pereira acknowledges Strickland’s potential as a future contender for the middleweight championship currently held by Israel Adesanya, with whom Pereira has faced off multiple times in kickboxing and MMA. Adesanya remains the closest thing Pereira has had to a rival.
Given Pereira’s experience, he is in a favorable position to offer guidance to Strickland if he secures a title shot. Furthermore, Pereira openly assesses Strickland’s chances, recognizing the difficulty of the task. He stated, “It’s a challenging fight. Realistically, anyone could throw a strike and potentially knock their opponent out. However, considering our focus on progress, winning round by round and dominating the division at present, it’s highly challenging for anyone to achieve that right now.”
While Pereira initially expressed interest in a trilogy fight with Adesanya, whom he defeated at UFC 281 but lost to in a rematch at UFC 287, he has now decided to move up to the light heavyweight division. He has secured a fight against former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291. Despite this shift, Pereira does not dwell on past grudges, recognizing that it would not benefit his upcoming bout. He explained, “No, I’m moving on from that. Holding grudges would hinder my preparation for the next fight. I’ve thoroughly analyzed and contemplated everything that transpired. Moreover, the fact that I’ve defeated him three times provides some solace. So, let’s move forward to the next challenge.”
Pereira’s relaxed attitude towards Adesanya was on display recently when the two coincidentally encountered each other multiple times at an airport during security checks. Pereira approached the middleweight champion with an idea for entertaining MMA content, and to his surprise, Adesanya had a similar thought. This encounter exemplified a wholesome interaction between former opponents who have exchanged numerous punches.
Pereira firmly believes that he and Adesanya will face each other in the octagon once again. He affirmed, “Absolutely. I just took a break since he has made weight at [middleweight] about 50 times, so I want to see how things unfold in his next two or three fights. We might fight at light heavyweight or middleweight. For now, I want to emphasize that I can make [185 pounds] anytime I choose. However, due to the frequency at which I had to cut weight in a short period, I needed a break to enhance my performance in this weight class.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alex Pereira plans
Who is Alex Pereira?
Alex Pereira is a professional fighter known for his skills in both kickboxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). He has competed in the middleweight division and has faced notable opponents in the UFC.
What are Alex Pereira’s plans with Sean Strickland?
Alex Pereira plans to train with Sean Strickland, his former octagon opponent, in preparation for Strickland’s upcoming fight. Additionally, Pereira intends to learn English from Strickland during their training sessions.
How does Alex Pereira view Sean Strickland?
Despite Sean Strickland’s controversial online presence, Pereira has a positive opinion of him. Pereira acknowledges that Strickland may be eccentric and outspoken, but he personally treats Pereira with respect.
What does Alex Pereira think about a potential fight with Israel Adesanya?
Alex Pereira is open to the idea of fighting Israel Adesanya again in the future. However, he has decided to move up to the light heavyweight division for now. Pereira believes that his previous victories against Adesanya have provided him some satisfaction and wants to see how Adesanya’s next fights unfold.
Is Alex Pereira confident in Sean Strickland’s chances in the middleweight division?
While acknowledging the unpredictability of fights, Pereira believes it is challenging for anyone to dominate the middleweight division currently. He recognizes that Strickland has the potential to achieve success but also emphasizes the difficulty of the task at hand.
More about Alex Pereira plans
- Alex Pereira’s UFC Profile
- Sean Strickland’s UFC Profile
- UFC Middleweight Division Rankings
- [Highlights of Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya](insert link here)
- Jan Blachowicz’s UFC Profile
- UFC Light Heavyweight Division Rankings
5 comments
Woah, Alex Pereira teaming up with Sean Strickland? That’s crazy! Can’t wait to see these two train together. Alex is a beast in the octagon!
Pereira and Strickland putting their differences aside, that’s pretty cool. Good to see respect between fighters. Looking forward to seeing them both in action.
LOL, Pereira joking about Strickland’s online toxicity. Gotta admit, Strickland does stir things up. But hey, if they can work together and learn from each other, that’s what matters.
Pereira vs. Adesanya round four? Count me in! These two have history, and it’s always exciting to see them go head-to-head. Let’s see if Pereira’s move to light heavyweight pays off.
Props to Pereira for moving on and not holding grudges. It takes maturity and focus to let go and concentrate on the next challenge. Can’t wait to see what’s next for him in the UFC.