Glover Teixeira sheds light on Alex Pereira’s move to the light heavyweight division, expressing his approval and concern for Pereira’s weight cutting. During a post-match interview after his victory against Anthony Smith at the Fight Pass Invitational 4 in Las Vegas, Teixeira revealed that Pereira currently weighs 230 pounds and maintains a lean physique with around eight percent body fat. Teixeira emphasized the challenge of dropping down to 185 pounds, calling it “crazy.”
Pereira’s debut at 205 pounds is scheduled for UFC 291 on July 29 in Salt Lake City, where he will face former champion Jan Blachowicz. Interestingly, Blachowicz was the fighter whom Teixeira defeated for the title back in October 2021 at UFC 267 when he was still an active competitor.
Pereira secured the middleweight championship by defeating his longtime rival, Israel Adesanya, in the fifth round at UFC 281 in November. However, he suffered a knockout loss in their rematch at UFC 287 in April.
Teixeira, who recently fought Jamahal Hill for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 283, acts as a mentor and coach to Pereira. When asked about the possibility of Pereira seeking redemption against Hill in the future, Teixeira acknowledged the matchup’s potential but stressed the importance of focusing on the upcoming challenge against Blachowicz. Teixeira recognized Hill’s skills and praised Jan Blachowicz as a dangerous striker who hits hard, reminding everyone not to underestimate their current opponent.
However, if Pereira manages to overcome Blachowicz, Teixeira believes that a fight against Hill would be a thrilling encounter, allowing Pereira to showcase his style. Teixeira expressed no ill will towards Hill, acknowledging his talent and character.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Light heavyweight move
Q: Why did Glover Teixeira approve of Alex Pereira’s move to light heavyweight?
A: Glover Teixeira approved of Alex Pereira’s move to light heavyweight because he was concerned about the amount of weight Pereira had to cut to compete in the middleweight division. Teixeira believed that Pereira’s current weight of 230 pounds, along with his lean physique, made it difficult for him to drop down to 185 pounds.
Q: Who is Alex Pereira facing in his first 205-pound matchup?
A: Alex Pereira is set to face former champion Jan Blachowicz in his first light heavyweight matchup at UFC 291. This matchup is scheduled to take place on July 29 in Salt Lake City.
Q: What were the results of Alex Pereira’s previous fights?
A: Alex Pereira captured the middleweight championship by defeating Israel Adesanya in the fifth round at UFC 281. However, he suffered a knockout loss to Adesanya in their rematch at UFC 287.
Q: Is Glover Teixeira interested in a rematch between Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill?
A: While Glover Teixeira acknowledged the potential for a rematch between Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill, he emphasized that their current focus is on the upcoming fight against Jan Blachowicz. Teixeira mentioned that if Pereira successfully defeats Blachowicz, a matchup with Hill could be an exciting fight, but they are not looking past their immediate opponent.
Q: How does Glover Teixeira describe Jan Blachowicz as an opponent?
A: Glover Teixeira describes Jan Blachowicz as a dangerous striker who hits hard. He acknowledges Blachowicz’s victory over Israel Adesanya and the fact that he was performing well in the standup before shifting to takedowns. Teixeira warns against underestimating Blachowicz’s skills and highlights the importance of focusing on the current task at hand.
