Tag: alex pereira

Bisping: Alex Pereira Convincing UFC To Sign His Former Rival Speaks Volumes

Usually it’s up the UFC matchmakers or Dana White himself to decide which talent they want to bring into the promotion. At the Apex this past Tuesday night on another episode of Contender Series, it was the promotion’s light heavyweight champion that helped make this call. Alex Pereira told White why he should sign his […]

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Usually it’s up the UFC matchmakers or Dana White himself to decide which talent they want to bring into the promotion. At the Apex this past Tuesday night on another episode of Contender Series, it was the promotion’s light heavyweight champion that helped make this call.

Alex Pereira told White why he should sign his former kickboxing rival Artem Vakhitov despite the fact that he delivered a performance that wasn’t overly impressive. The elite striker did get the first round finish but he didn’t exactly blow the roof off the place either.

“Poatan” jokingly remarked to his former opponent in a video that was posted on social media that Vakhitov now owes him one.

Michael Bisping Gives Credit To Alex Pereira For Pushing UFC To Sign Artem Vakhitov

Michael Bisping, who was on commentary for this episode of Contender Series, gave his thoughts on the situation in a recent YouTube video. He said that what Pereira did at the Apex shows exactly the kind of competitor that he is.

Though Vakhitov is a long way away from getting a shot at the light heavyweight title, his history with Pereira as the last man to beat the Brazilian star in kickboxing is exactly why he’s there in the first place.

Bisping said it should be commended how Pereira could have easily dismissed his previous opponent, knowing that he could be a threat to him at some stage. The former UFC middleweight champion also pointed out that this could be Pereira being motivated by revenge.

“The fact that Dana asked him, ‘Hey, this guys who’s the last person to beat you,’ that might get kind of fast tracked a little bit, that might possibly get decent favorable match-ups to meet you because there’s a big storyline and he was the last person to beat you and if he stands and trades with you and plays you at your own game, he might take the title off you. Pereira could have said, ‘well it wasn’t that good was it really, I expected more.’ He could have played down the performance but no, he said he absolutely deserves a shot, gibe him a shot. I’m telling you right, that not only speaks about the type of man that he is but it also speaks about the type of competitor that he is.”

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Michael Bisping Explains Artem Vakhitov Likely Will Compete for UFC Gold Against Alex Pereira

Michael Bisping Explains Artem Vakhitov Likely Will Compete for UFC Gold Against Alex PereiraMichael Bisping thinks it’s just a matter of time before new UFC signee Artem Vakhitov is challenging Alex Pereira…

Michael Bisping Explains Artem Vakhitov Likely Will Compete for UFC Gold Against Alex Pereira

Michael Bisping thinks it’s just a matter of time before new UFC signee Artem Vakhitov is challenging Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title.

Vakhitov earned a contract with the UFC following a big first-round knockout against Islem Masraf on Tuesday’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series.

Artem Vakhitov

Before making the move to MMA last year, Vakhitov was a former GLORY Kickboxing champion and just so happens to be the last man to have beaten Pereira in the sport before ‘Poatan’ moved onto mixed martial arts.

If the story sounds familiar, don’t be surprised. Pereira fought two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya under the GLORY banner twice and brutally KO’d the ‘Stylebender’ in their second encounter. Adesanya moved on to MMA months later.

Artem Vakhitov

With history seemingly repeating itself, Bisping thinks it’s just a matter of time before Vakhitov works his way up the ranks and challenges Pereira for UFC gold.

“ I think he could do it, I think he’s got the potential” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “He’s got to work on the takedown defense. he’s got to get used to the little gloves. he’s got to get used to people with offbeat rhythms because MMA strikers are a bit different to polished kickboxers but if he can do that.

“If he can do the work and apply himself, I think he could have a very bright future and we could see that fight at some point down the line.” 

Bisping sees the UFC pushing Artem Vakhitov the same way they pushed alex pereira

Like they did with Pereira, Bisping expects the UFC to push Vakhitov fast. Poatan’ infamously earned his first title opportunity after just three fights inside the Octagon.

If Vakhitov can string together a few impressive wins, it’s safe to assume that the promotion will try and wedge him into the title picture and capitalize on the built-in story between the two heavy hitters.

“It’s going to be interesting to see who they match him up with first,” Bisping continued. “But if he goes on, let’s say, a four-or five-fight streak, where he goes out and he knocks people out, then of course there’s a big fight on our hands, and I’m sure Alex Pereira the whole time is going to be willing him on because he wants to get him back. He wants to make money.”

Artem Vakhitov

Khalil Rountree Jr. on McGregor’s Post-Fight Support and Tactical Advice After Pereira Loss

Khalil Rountree Jr. on McGregor’s Post-Fight Support and Tactical Advice After Pereira LossKhalil Rountree received praise and some tactical advice from Irish megastar Conor McGregor following Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Salt…

Khalil Rountree Jr. on McGregor’s Post-Fight Support and Tactical Advice After Pereira Loss

Khalil Rountree received praise and some tactical advice from Irish megastar Conor McGregor following Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Salt Lake City.

Rountree went toe-to-toe with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira for nearly four rounds before falling to the ‘Brazilian Boogeyman’ in a most brutal fashion. Still, ‘The War Horse’ received immense praise from fighters and fans for holding his own and tagging Pereira with a few big strikes throughout the entertaining affair.

Khalil Rountree

Appearing on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Rountree revealed that McGregor had reached out to him following the fight to offer some kind words and a little bit of advice on what he could have done differently against Pereira.

“I still haven’t watched the fight, as a whole, since it happened, but I did get… It was really nice,” Rountree said. “A couple of days after the fight, I got some messages from Conor and it was really cool to get some messages from him, but one thing that he pointed out was that I could have put more pressure.

“Just like you were saying, when he was going up against the cage, yeah, he has that left hook, but if I would have been just a little bit more relentless with my pressure and not backed off so much and retook the center of the cage, I think I would have been able to apply a little bit more damage to him. So, I think if I were to go back and replay this fight, I’d probably just be a little bit more aggressive, like smart aggressive.”

Khalil Rountree’s stock goes up with strong showing against Alex Pereira

Up until the finish, Rountree was actually winning the fight on all three judges’ scorecards.

Through the first three rounds, Pereira had landed more strikes and did so at a higher percentage clip, but it was Rountree who was landing the more impactful shots, including a well-timed hook in the second round that nearly put ‘Poatan’ on the mat.

Khalil Rountree

Despite losing the fight, there’s no doubt that Rountree’s stock has gone up significantly and one or two more wins in the division could very well earn him another crack at Pereira. Until then, ‘The War Horse’ is setting his sights on a scrap with former light heavyweight titleholder Jamahal Hill.

Khalil Rountree

UFC Legend Glover Teixeira Teases Comeback With Pereira’s Encouragement

Glover Teixeira recently revealed that he’s contemplating a UFC comeback, spurred on by none other than Alex Pereira. Teixeira hung up his gloves for good after a one-sided unanimous decision defeat to Jamahal Hill at UFC 283 in January 2023. This marked his second consecutive loss following a fifth-round submission to Ji?í Procházka at UFC […]

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Glover Teixeira recently revealed that he’s contemplating a UFC comeback, spurred on by none other than Alex Pereira.

Teixeira hung up his gloves for good after a one-sided unanimous decision defeat to Jamahal Hill at UFC 283 in January 2023. This marked his second consecutive loss following a fifth-round submission to Ji?í Procházka at UFC 275 in June 2022, a result that saw him lose the UFC light heavyweight title.

Since stepping away from the sport, the 44-year-old Brazilian has embraced the role of mentor to reigning UFC 205-pound kingpin Pereira, playing an instrumental part in his fellow countryman’s meteoric rise to the top of the division.

It seems that being surrounded by elite athletes and coaching them has reignited Teixeira’s competitive spirit, awakening a newfound enthusiasm for making his return…

Teixeira On His Potential Comeback: ‘I Keep Going After Challenges’

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Teixeira disclosed his aspirations for a possible return to active competition, be it within the UFC or through another venture.

“There’s nothing [booked], but I’ll definitely go back to competition,” Teixeira said. “I keep going after challenges. It’s hard to stay [training] with no reason why, so I’ll definitely do something. I want to compete. I’ll do some jiu-jitsu, I wanna do… I don’t know, maybe boxing. Or even go back for some fights in the UFC. That’s got to be it because it’s hard, man. I’m feeling great, fighting hard with the guys in the gym. I’ve rolled with some wrestlers, training with Sean Strickland and ‘Poatan.’”

The former UFC light heavyweight champion further shared that it has been Pereira encouraging him to consider a comeback to the sport.

“I was doing some light sparring with ‘Poatan’ the other day, and he’s like, ‘F**k, Glover, you have to come back!’ I’m training well, and I’m feeling good. I love this. I’m not saying I want to fight, but I want to compete. If it’s jiu-jitsu, Lovato, or guys like that, I wanna do some matches, that’s for sure.”

Teixeira made his UFC debut in May 2012 and experienced a career filled with significant highs and lows. After an impressive five-fight win streak from 2019 to 2020, he captured the UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Jan B?achowicz at UFC 267 in October 2021.

Teixeira currently holds a professional record of 33-9, with 18 of those victories coming by way of knockout and 10 secured through submissions.

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Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract

Alex Pereira is by far the most outstanding athlete the UFC has signed in recent years. Six of his ten UFC fights have been for a title, and he now holds the record for the quickest turnaround for three title defenses in the promotion. Pereira’s quick rise to the top of MMA has perplexed many […]

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Alex Pereira is by far the most outstanding athlete the UFC has signed in recent years. Six of his ten UFC fights have been for a title, and he now holds the record for the quickest turnaround for three title defenses in the promotion.

Pereira’s quick rise to the top of MMA has perplexed many in the community. He is a kickboxing specialist but the lack of wrestling and grappling experience has yet to bother him in the UFC.

Artem Vakhitov, who defeated Pereira via decision at Glory 78, has signed with the UFC after winning at Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 9. The UFC President is happy to witness the influx of kickboxers in the UFC and thanked the UFC light heavyweight champ for it…

Dana White Explains How Israel Adesanya And Alex Pereira Inspired Kickboxers To Enter The UFC

During the DWCS 75 episode’s press conference, White talked about the recent wave of kickboxers coming to the UFC. He believes the success Israel Adesanya and Pereira have had in the promotion to be the reason behind this.

Over the years, grappling has gradually become one of the most effective tools for success in MMA. Strikers often struggle to keep the fight on the feet against wrestlers but Adesanya and Pereira are huge exceptions. As a result, a lot of kickboxers with similar careers as these legends are now willing to try out their luck in the UFC.

The UFC CEO pointed out that many kickboxers have fought gruesome battles for less money than they deserved. By showcasing their exciting standup in the UFC, they can significantly boost their earnings and fame.

“What I actually think, like we were saying earlier, it’s fascinating how these guys that came out of this whole circuit with Israel and Alex, including them, are doing so well in the UFC. It’s fascinating, so, yeah, why not?” White continued, “I think it’s all of it. Obviously, those guys fought, you know, crazy fights, that I’m sure they didn’t make any money. Joanna J?drzejczyk and many others. And come over here and it’s absolutely life-changing for them.”

While he was announcing the contracts for DWCS Season 8, Week 9, Laura Sanko asked White about Pereira’s halo effect in the UFC. Here’s how he responded:

“100%. It’s fascinating and that these guys are coming over here with so many kickboxing fights. And they’re wrestling is on point. It’s actually fascinating.”

Vakhitov is a great example of the same. He’s just secured a UFC contract but has already generated a lot of hype because of his win over Pereira in kickboxing. Interestingly, “Poatan” himself convinced White to sign Vakhitov.

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Conor McGregor Weighs In On Alex Pereira Facing An ‘Untested’ Jon Jones At Heavyweight

Conor McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but a toe injury forced him to withdraw. The UFC already had most of its pay-per-view events in 2024 booked ahead of time, so “The Mystic Mac” could not return before the end of the year like he wanted to. Chandler, in the meantime, […]

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Conor McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but a toe injury forced him to withdraw. The UFC already had most of its pay-per-view events in 2024 booked ahead of time, so “The Mystic Mac” could not return before the end of the year like he wanted to.

Chandler, in the meantime, has finally moved on from McGregor and will be facing Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. Winning the matchup can help the former get a title shot in the UFC lightweight division or he could fight his original opponent again with even higher stakes.

The real talk of the town, though, is Alex Pereira who’s defended his UFC light heavyweight belt thrice in 2024. Here’s what McGregor thinks of a superfight between “Poatan” and Jon Jones.

Conor McGregor Calls Alex Pereira The Pound-For-Pound Best UFC Fighter And A Threatening Opponent For Jon Jones

McGregor recently appeared on The Schmo YouTube channel for a quick interview. When asked who should be the best pound-for-pound UFC fighter in the world, he vouched for the Brazilian to get the title.

Next up, “The Notorious” discussed why he thinks Pereira should move up to heavyweight. For starters, it’s a great opportunity to create history by becoming the first three-division UFC champ ever. He admitted to assuming that “Poatan” had a difficult weight cut for UFC 307 but then pointed out that it could be due to antibiotics and other health concerns.

McGregor, like countless other fans, acknowledged that Magomed Ankalaev deserves to fight Pereira at light heavyweight. However, if the UFC light heavyweight champ moves up a weight class, he should fight Jones according to the Dubliner.

McGregor reflected on Jones’ impressive but quick heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane in March 2023. He believes that the former UFC light heavyweight champ is still untested at heavyweight and Pereira’s explosive yet patient style could be a tough puzzle to solve.

The Irishman also claimed that Jones’ size at heavyweight shouldn’t be a problem for Pereira. Although he’s only faced middleweights and light heavyweights yet, he should be able to fit in with the heavyweights naturally.

“I’d put Alex as number one [pound-for-pound]. I think he poses a lot of problems for Jon also. You know, that’s a dangerous style for Jon but it’s a decent one for him coz he’s not, you know, so big. Jon is new to the heavyweight division. Jon, he had a nice one against Ciryl Gane but he’s still untested at heavyweight. And I’m sure, in the back of his mind, he has that thought that you know, some of these guys are really big. Alex is a nice one and it’s still a dangerous one, though. Probably, even at the core of it, it’s probably even more dangerous.”

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