Tag: alex pereira

VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Former Rival Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Win

Israel Adesanya watched closely as UFC 307 went down this past weekend, where a former foe of his was back in action. The former two-time middleweight champion is always able to offer unparalleled analysis when Alex Pereira is stepping inside the cage. They’ve faced each other on four occasions in various rule sets, and despite […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Former Rival Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Win at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya watched closely as UFC 307 went down this past weekend, where a former foe of his was back in action.

The former two-time middleweight champion is always able to offer unparalleled analysis when Alex Pereira is stepping inside the cage.

They’ve faced each other on four occasions in various rule sets, and despite his prior losses to “Poatan,” Adesanya is the only man to beat him in the UFC.

Via the reactions video on his YouTube channel, FREESTYLEBENDER, fans got the chance to watch “The Last Stylebender” enjoy a fun fight and devastating performance from Pereira to cap off the night.

Israel Adesanya Reacts To Alex Pereira’s Ruthless Display At UFC 307

Now that he’s not competing against him and they’re in different weight classes, Adesanya is able to join the ranks of all the fans that enjoy watching Pereira do what he does best.

Throughout his reaction, he constantly drew attention to things that Pereira is doing or thinking based on his experiences of fighting and studying “Poatan.”

Despite a strong start to the fight from the challenger, Adesanya believed that Pereira was only going to get stronger as the fight went on.

“Round two, if ‘Poatan’ gets past this or doesn’t get knock him out, I think he’ll be fine. Khalil is better early on… I think he has to. If not, ‘Poatan’ is gonna get those leg kicks going again.”

Adesanya also pointed out in-between rounds how well the champion is able to recover in tough fights, whispering about how he knows all too well about this.

“He’s a f****** demon bro. I felt it.”

The third round came to a close and the former champ made the call that Pereira was going to close out proceedings in the fourth round now that he had really found his groove in Salt Lake City.

“I can feel it, I can feel it. Now it’s gonna be ‘Chama’ time.”

Throughout the fourth round, Adesanya repeatedly called for Pereira to switch up his approach and target the body which he eventually did, ending the fight after a barrage of strikes that Rountree somehow withstood.

“Good on him, he lasted longer than I thought he would but at least someone else took him to the fourth round, shows how good Khalil is.”

Adesanya rounded out his thoughts on the fight by talking about what is in front of both Pereira and Rountree going forward.

“He’s got some hard fights in front of him but he’s that guy right now, he’s on… honestly, that’s how I called it but I thought it was going to be early but shout to Khalil ’cause heart. Fighting with a broke nose, f***** eye and intelligence not to blow his nose in the fight, respect and his stock goes up after this, so yeah, what a moment.”

Continue Reading VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Former Rival Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Win at MMA News.

5 Fights We Need to See After UFC 307

Alex Pereira took out another dangerous contender at UFC 307, but his toughest test as light heavyweight champion is probably still to come. Pereira was back…

Alex Pereira took out another dangerous contender at UFC 307, but his toughest test as light heavyweight champion is probably still to come. Pereira was back…

Ankalaev’s Manager: ‘Embarrassing’ If Pereira Avoids Next Fight

Alex Pereira made it clear in his post-fight interview at UFC 307 that he has no plans to leave the light heavyweight division right now. “Poatan” has flirted with both moving up to heavyweight and returning to middleweight but said himself that competing at 205-pounds is a sweet spot for him right now. Though his […]

Continue Reading Ankalaev’s Manager: ‘Embarrassing’ If Pereira Avoids Next Fight at MMA News.

Alex Pereira made it clear in his post-fight interview at UFC 307 that he has no plans to leave the light heavyweight division right now.

“Poatan” has flirted with both moving up to heavyweight and returning to middleweight but said himself that competing at 205-pounds is a sweet spot for him right now. Though his clash with Khalil Rountree in the main event delivered an entertaining fight, many expected Magomed Ankalaev to be his opponent in Salt Lake City.

The #2-ranked contender will instead face Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308 later this month where if he wins, there surely can be no denying him.

Ali Abdelaziz Says Magomed Ankalaev Has To Be Next For Alex Pereira

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Ankalaev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz gave his thoughts on the current title picture at 205-pounds. He believes that Pereira’s statement on remaining at light heavyweight gives him no option but to face Ankalaev if he defeats Raki? in Abu Dhabi.

Abdelaziz also pointed to some of his other fighters that have also had to campaign for a long time in order to get their title shots. He said that like the examples he gave, Ankalaev will make up for this long period of waiting by being champion for a significant period of time.

“It would be embarrassing if he did this. He clearly said he’s not running, it would be clearly running but listen, let’s see what happens. Ankalaev needs to focus on Raki? but if I’m a champion and I believe I’m the best in the world, I’m going to fight anybody and listen, remember Islam Makhachev take him a long time to get there but when he’s there, he’s there for a long time.

Khabib, Kamaru, these guys wait for a long time to become a champion, they hang around for a while and I believe this is going to be the deal for Ankalaev.” 

Read also: Khalil Rountree Reflects On Brutal Loss To Alex Pereira At UFC 307: ‘Didn’t Win The Title But I Grew’ 

Continue Reading Ankalaev’s Manager: ‘Embarrassing’ If Pereira Avoids Next Fight at MMA News.

Alex Pereira’s Last Kickboxing Rival Claims He’s Not MMA’s Top Striker

The main event of UFC 307 was a fun fight but ultimately, the elite level striking of Alex Pereira was too much for Khalil Rountree. As a former two-weight world champion in GLORY kickboxing, the current light heavyweight champion is one of the best strikers in the history of MMA. Ahead of his latest title […]

Continue Reading Alex Pereira’s Last Kickboxing Rival Claims He’s Not MMA’s Top Striker at MMA News.

The main event of UFC 307 was a fun fight but ultimately, the elite level striking of Alex Pereira was too much for Khalil Rountree. As a former two-weight world champion in GLORY kickboxing, the current light heavyweight champion is one of the best strikers in the history of MMA.

Ahead of his latest title defense, “Poatan” was asked about other kickboxers following in the footsteps of him and Israel Adesanya and there was one name that was mentioned specifically. Artem Vakhitov was the last man to beat Pereira in kickboxing, winning a majority decision back in 2021 after the Brazilian got the nod the first time around.

Now, he’s hoping to carve out his own path in mixed martial arts.

Artem Vakhitov Says That Alex Pereira Is Too Limited To Be Considered The Best Striker In MMA Today

After suffering an injury on his MMA debut, Vakhitov has earned consecutive first-round finishes and will now fight for a spot on the UFC roster.

He faces Islem Masraf on this week’s edition of Dana White’s Contender Series where his 2-1 pro record will be overlooked due to his kickboxing background and history with the current light heavyweight champion.

Despite now having his own experiences with adapting to MMA, Vakhitov doesn’t believe that his former foe is the best striker in the sport today.

He said to Submission Radio that “Poatan” can’t be in the conversation due to his reliance on his signature strike, the left hook.

“I don’t think he’s really the best striker because to have just one good punch, it doesn’t mean that he’s really good striker. The real striker is someone who has a lot of combinations, very different opportunities. He just taught well one punch and delivering it but it doesn’t mean that having good distance and other stuff so I think he’s not really good striker because of it.”

When asked who he would pick as the best striker in MMA today if it isn’t Pereira, he provided one name who will headline UFC 308 later this month.

“I like the style of Max Holloway but I really couldn’t say who’s really the best one. I like who he’s fighting and I believe he could be the best one.”

Read also: Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307

Continue Reading Alex Pereira’s Last Kickboxing Rival Claims He’s Not MMA’s Top Striker at MMA News.

‘I Felt It’ Alex Pereira Responds to Being Hurt by Rountree Jr. in Round 2 of UFC 307 Main Event

Alex PereiraAlex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. went to war at UFC 307, and damage was sustained on both sides….

Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. went to war at UFC 307, and damage was sustained on both sides.

Surprisingly, this battle played out almost exclusively on the feet. Rountree and Pereira never really committed to takedowns; instead, the duo opted to have a high-stakes kickboxing match.

Things stayed pretty even in the first three rounds, but the tide would definitely change in round four. Pereira didn’t push much of a tempo in the first three rounds and instead just reacted to what Rountree Jr. dished out and provided his own consistent but not overwhelmingly active offense in return.

The calf kicks were flowing despite Rountree Jr. being a southpaw. And while Rountree saw a lot of success with his hands in the early rounds, it was almost a trap laid by the champion. Pereira seemingly felt out his opponent in those first three rounds while taking care not to fall behind volume-wise.

In round two, however, the champion experienced a very sketchy moment when he seemed to get dropped momentarily by his hungry opposition.

Alex Pereira comments on The sketchy moment in the second round of Khalil Rountree Jr. Fight

What happened was like poetry in motion. Khalil Rountree Jr. slipped a headkick from Pereira and appeared to wobble his opponent with a slick counter punch. Sadly, this would be Rountree’s biggest moment of the fight, and it was all downhill from there.

Pereira began to apply more pressure as the fight aged, and in round four, it was all over. The Brazilian wasted no time in walking forward and landing damage. He steadily landed sharp strikes on his opponent all round long, and by the end of things, he reduced Rountree Jr. into a swollen and bloody mess that crumpled onto the canvas In defeat.

After his victory and successful title defense, Alex Pereira explained what it was like during that sketchy moment in round two of the fight.

“If it’s the moment that I’m thinking of, I felt [the strike]. But I’ve got to rewatch it, I’m not sure,” Alex Pereira told media at the post-fight press conference. “I think it was something spinning, maybe. I had my back to him. I don’t remember. (But) I felt it.”

How close do you think Pereira was to getting finished during that hectic moment in round two of the fight?

‘I Felt It’ Alex Pereira Responds to Being Hurt by Rountree Jr. in Round 2 of UFC 307 Main Event

Alex PereiraAlex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. went to war at UFC 307, and damage was sustained on both sides….

Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. went to war at UFC 307, and damage was sustained on both sides.

Surprisingly, this battle played out almost exclusively on the feet. Rountree and Pereira never really committed to takedowns; instead, the duo opted to have a high-stakes kickboxing match.

Things stayed pretty even in the first three rounds, but the tide would definitely change in round four. Pereira didn’t push much of a tempo in the first three rounds and instead just reacted to what Rountree Jr. dished out and provided his own consistent but not overwhelmingly active offense in return.

The calf kicks were flowing despite Rountree Jr. being a southpaw. And while Rountree saw a lot of success with his hands in the early rounds, it was almost a trap laid by the champion. Pereira seemingly felt out his opponent in those first three rounds while taking care not to fall behind volume-wise.

In round two, however, the champion experienced a very sketchy moment when he seemed to get dropped momentarily by his hungry opposition.

Alex Pereira comments on The sketchy moment in the second round of Khalil Rountree Jr. Fight

What happened was like poetry in motion. Khalil Rountree Jr. slipped a headkick from Pereira and appeared to wobble his opponent with a slick counter punch. Sadly, this would be Rountree’s biggest moment of the fight, and it was all downhill from there.

Pereira began to apply more pressure as the fight aged, and in round four, it was all over. The Brazilian wasted no time in walking forward and landing damage. He steadily landed sharp strikes on his opponent all round long, and by the end of things, he reduced Rountree Jr. into a swollen and bloody mess that crumpled onto the canvas In defeat.

After his victory and successful title defense, Alex Pereira explained what it was like during that sketchy moment in round two of the fight.

“If it’s the moment that I’m thinking of, I felt [the strike]. But I’ve got to rewatch it, I’m not sure,” Alex Pereira told media at the post-fight press conference. “I think it was something spinning, maybe. I had my back to him. I don’t remember. (But) I felt it.”

How close do you think Pereira was to getting finished during that hectic moment in round two of the fight?