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Sean Strickland Beleives Alex Pereira Matchup Is “Just A Ploy By The UFC” To Setup Israel Adesanya Fight

Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira Sean Strickland believes that the UFC is trying to set up a potential fight for Alex Pereira with Israel Adesanya. Alex Pereira will compete against Sean Strickland this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, NV on July 2 at UFC 276. The international week main card will be headlined by the reigning UFC Middleweight […]

Sean Strickland believes that the UFC is trying to set up a potential fight for Alex Pereira with Israel Adesanya.

Alex Pereira will compete against Sean Strickland this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, NV on July 2 at UFC 276. The international week main card will be headlined by the reigning UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya who will face Jared Cannonier in the main event of the night.

In a four-man eliminator-style tournament, the winners of each bout are expected to collide next.

Sean Strickland is not a fan of the official rankings

Strickland, the current fourth-ranked contender at middleweight, does not seem to be a fan of the official rankings. The UFC veteran has been competing under the banner for close to a decade having debuted in March 2014. He picked up momentum with a six-fight win streak and outrageous takes that made headlines.

Meanwhile, Pereira has only two outings in the promotion and is already being touted for a title shot against Israel Adesanya based on their history.

At the UFC 276 media day ahead of the event, Sean Strickland shared his take on how important the rankings are. His sentiments might stem from the fact that the matchups aren’t strictly based on rankings as a storyline is often given priority over an opponent with a better spot on the list.

“If we’ve learned anything about UFC rankings it means nothing. At the end of the day, it means nothing.”

Strickland says Alex Pereira matchup is “just a ploy by the UFC”

Strickland believes that he was pitted against ‘Poatan’ due to his striking style. Having the former Glory double champion take on an established grappler in an MMA fight would’ve been a huge risk for the promotion as a loss could nullify the prospect of him challenging Adesanya.

“He’s the one that knocked out Izzy so it’s like here’s what you can do,” Strickland said. “You could have him go and then he’ll eventually fight a wrestler who’ll take him down and beat him. Then they’ll never get the easy shot or they could be like, ‘hey, why don’t we have him fight Sean? Sean doesn’t like to wrestle. Maybe if he beats him we could float him to the top.

“So this is literally, purely just a ploy by the UFC, putting him against someone who likes to strike to potentially get him an Izzy shot. UFC, I applaud you but I might f**king wrestle.”

The winner of Sean Strickland vs. Alex Pereira is expected to face the winner of Israel Adesanya vs. Jared Cannonier in their next outing. However, things could change based on who comes out on top of those contests.

Alex Pereira Predicts Another KO Win Against Israel Adesanya If They Face-Off In The UFC Octagon: “These Are 4 Ounce Deadly Weapons”

Alex Pereira believes he’ll score another stoppage win against Israel Adesanya if they were to match up once again. The two men previously fought twice in kickboxing and when asked about the potential third fight between the two, Adesanya warned Pereira, stating: “These ain’t big pillow gloves, these are four-ounce deadly weapons that I can’t […]

Alex Pereira believes he’ll score another stoppage win against Israel Adesanya if they were to match up once again.

The two men previously fought twice in kickboxing and when asked about the potential third fight between the two, Adesanya warned Pereira, stating: “These ain’t big pillow gloves, these are four-ounce deadly weapons that I can’t wait to drive through your face.”

This prompted a response from Pereira at the UFC 276 media day event.

“Well, actually makes me confused,” Pereira said. “Because with those two fights and the knockout, he actually claimed [the gloves] to be a pillow, but now we talk about four-ounce gloves.”

Alex Pereira Shrugs Off Israel Adesanya’s Comments

“It is a deadly weapon, but if the big pillows already make him leave on the stretcher with a balloon on him, imagine what’s going to happen with four-ounce.”

The former two-division Glory kickboxing champion, Alex Pereira, made his UFC debut in November of last year, winning via a flying knee knockout. Since then, he earned a decision win against Bruno Silva, earning some early title shot talks against his former rival, and the current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

In the first fight between the two, Pereira won a close, debated decision, but in the second fight, he famously left Adesanya unconscious after hitting him with a clean left hook, which happens to be one of Pereira’s most deadly weapons.

But for now, Alex Pereira is set to face Sean Strickland (25-3) at UFC 276. Strickland is riding a six fight win streak so Pereira will have his hands full trying to extend his undefeated UFC record. While in the main event of UFC 276, we have the Middleweight Champion, Adesanya, defending his belt against Jared Cannonier.

The placement of Alex Pereira on this card is a pretty clear indication that if he can beat Strickland, and Adesanya can defend his belt against Cannonier, then we might get to see these two rivals fight for the first time in MMA where Adesanya believes he’ll be able to right all wrongs but Pereira sees another stoppage win in his future.

Sean Strickland Claims Alex Pereira’s Style ‘Sucks’ Ahead Of UFC 276: ‘He’s Not Even A Good Striker’

Ahead of his pivotal middleweight matchup this weekend against Alex Pereira at UFC 276, surging division contender, Sean Strickland has questioned the striking style and prowess of the decorated kickboxer, claiming the Brazilian is not all he’s chalked up to be. Strickland, who currently sits at #4 in the official middleweight pile, enters this weekend’s […]

Strickland, who currently sits at #4 in the official middleweight pile, enters this weekend’s potential title-eliminator against Pereira in search of his stunning seventh straight victory, headlined a February event against Jack Hermansson last time out, narrowly taking home a split decision win.

As for Pereira, the Sao Paulo striker has made an instant impact in his UFC tenure since his November debut – landing a pair of impressive victories, however, has yet to enter the middleweight top-15 ahead of his catapulting against Strickland.

A former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing champion, Pereira, revered as one of the more dangerous strikers in the sport at the moment, handed credence to those beliefs, courtesy of a brutal second round flying knee knockout win against Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268.

Returning against compatriot and former M-1 Global middleweight champion, Bruno Silva, Pereira would eventually pull away from his fellow Brazilian with a technical display en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Sean Strickland downplays Alex Pereira’s striking ability

With either Strickland or Pereira expected to likely challenge division champion, Israel Adesanya should he defeat challenger, Jared Cannonier atop the UFC 276 card on Saturday, Strickland has downplayed the striking threat of Pereira.

“He’s (Alex Pereira) not even a good striker, bro,” Sean Strickland told assembled media during his media availability ahead of UFC 276. “Like f*ck, the only reason you can do that is because you are f*cking tall, you are genetically gifted. If you are a f*cking normal-sized f*cking human being, you wouldn’t even f*cking be here, your style sucks.”

Despite the fact Pereira holds a devastating one-punch knockout win over the aforenoted, Adesanya back in 2017 under the GLORY Kickboxing banner, Strickland insists that he’s less than worried about the Brazilian’s striking ability.

“He’s the thing, man – let me tell you something,” Sean Strickland said. “There’s not one f*cking GLORY kickboxer in any weight class that I f*cking couldn’t f*cking stand and bang with. So don’t f*cking tell me just ‘cause you’re some big f*cking Brazilian, who knocked out Izzy (Israel Adesanya) 20 years ago, that I can’t stand with you. Come on, motherf*cker, get out of here.”

Dana White Explains Why Pereira Would Get Title Shot With UFC 276 Win

UFC President Dana White believes Alex Pereira could be next in line for a middleweight title opportunity with a win at UFC 276. White was recently interviewed by Yahoo! Sports and was asked about the possibility of Pereira challenging former kickboxing foe and UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. The UFC boss says it’s certainly possible…

Continue Reading Dana White Explains Why Pereira Would Get Title Shot With UFC 276 Win at MMA News.

UFC President Dana White believes Alex Pereira could be next in line for a middleweight title opportunity with a win at UFC 276.

White was recently interviewed by Yahoo! Sports and was asked about the possibility of Pereira challenging former kickboxing foe and UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. The UFC boss says it’s certainly possible if Pereira wins this weekend against Sean Strickland.

“Well, much like Adesanya. I mean, both these guys came from GLORY Kickboxing. Pereira is a former double champion there– middleweight and light heavyweight. He’s got two wins over Israel Adesanya. And, you know, he’s got two wins in the UFC right now.

“So taking on tough, durable, nutty Strickland, which should be a damn good fight. And if he wins, it makes a lot of sense to do the Adesanya fight.”

Pereira and Adesanya have quite the history with one another. Back in 2016, Pereira defeated Adesanya in kickboxing competition under the GLORY banner at an event in China. Pereira’s unanimous decision victory set the stage for their rematch the following year in Brazil.

That time, Pereira again topped Adesanya, but in an even more emphatic fashion, with a knockout blow. The loss marked the final fight of Adesanya’s professional kickboxing career thus far, as he then ventured into mixed martial arts, now a champion in just a few short years.

Pereira soon followed suit, and is now gearing up to challenge the No. 4-ranked middleweight in the world this weekend. If he does pull off the win over Strickland, the UFC could have a massive title fight on their hands, with a built-in story ready to go.

Of course, Adesanya will need to win himself, as he defends his title in the UFC 276 main event against Jared Cannonier.

What do you make of Dana White suggesting that Pereira could be next in line for a middleweight title shot with a UFC 276 win? Sound off in the comments below!

Continue Reading Dana White Explains Why Pereira Would Get Title Shot With UFC 276 Win at MMA News.

UFC 276 Flashback – Israel Adesanya Requires Oxygen Following Brutal KO Loss To Alex Pereira

Ahead of UFC 276 this weekend during International Fight Week, footage has once again emerged of reigning middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya suffering a brutal one-punch knockout loss to fellow main card feature, Alex Pereira during the pair’s time with GLORY Kickboxing. Israel Adesanya tackles Jared Cannonier this weekend in ‘Sin City’ Set to take main […]

Israel Adesanya tackles Jared Cannonier this weekend in ‘Sin City’

Set to take main event honors at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – Adesanya attempts to secure his fifth successful defense of his undisputed middleweight crown, putting his belt on the line against the #2 ranked, Jared Cannonier.

As for Brazilian striking phenom, Pereira, the Sao Paulo finisher faces surging division staple, Sean Strickland in a potential middleweight title-eliminator in a high-profile main card outing, searching for Octagon victory number three.

Twice facing Adesanya during their respective and decorated professional kickboxing careers, Pereira holds a pair of victories over the City Kickboxing, firstly scoring a contentious unanimous decision win over the former in Shenzhen, China.

However, in rallying fashion in the pair’s March 2017 re-run, Pereira managed to spring with a brutal one-punch, left hook knockout – flooring Israel Adesanya at Glory of Heroes 7 in his native Sao Paulo.

Ahead of the pair’s respective main card features this weekend, footage has once emerged of Adesanya’s sole professional combat sports KO loss, with the Nigerian-Kiwi requiring oxygen in the squared circle following the brutal third round knockout defeat.

With Saturday night fast approaching, UFC president, Dana White remained coy on how he would match Pereira next should he land a career-best triumph against Strickland, however, admitted that a fight with Adesanya likely made sense next.

“I mean, both these guys came from GLORY Kickboxing,” Dana White said. “Alex Pereira is a former double champion there – middleweight and light heavyweight. He’s got two wins over Israel Adesanya. And, you know, he’s got two wins in the UFC right now. So taking on tough, durable, nutty Strickland, which should be a damn good fight. And if he wins, it makes a lot of sense to do the Adesanya fight.”

Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 276 ‘Makes A Lot of Sense’ to Dana White

With a win at UFC 276, Alex Pereira could find himself in the position for a middleweight title fight against reigning champion Israel Adesanya. While speaking to Yahoo Sports, UFC president Dana White talked about Pereira’s upcoming bout with Sean Strickland and suggested that if ‘Poatan’ is victorious, a fight with Adesanya “makes a lot […]

With a win at UFC 276, Alex Pereira could find himself in the position for a middleweight title fight against reigning champion Israel Adesanya.

While speaking to Yahoo Sports, UFC president Dana White talked about Pereira’s upcoming bout with Sean Strickland and suggested that if ‘Poatan’ is victorious, a fight with Adesanya “makes a lot of sense.”

“I mean, both these guys came from Glory Kickboxing. Pereira is a former double champion there — middleweight and light heavyweight. He’s got two wins over Israel Adesanya,” said White. “And, you know, he’s got two wins in the UFC right now. So taking on tough, durable, nutty Strickland, which should be a damn good fight. And if he wins, it makes a lot of sense to do the Adesanya fight.”

Pereira faced Adesanya in the Glory kickboxing promotion on two separate occasions. Their first meeting was at Glory of Heroes 1 in April 2016. Pereira won the bout via unanimous decision. Their rematch came at Glory of Heroes 15 almost one year later. Pereira put an exclamation point on the rivalry by knocking out Adesanya.

To this day, Alex Pereira is still the only man to knock out Adesanya in combat sports.

“If Pereira can win this fight, [it] puts him in a very fun fight with [a] great storyline against Adesanya,” said White.

Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya Must Get Past Their UFC 276 Opponents Before a Potential Showdown Can Happen

Before ‘Poatan’ and ‘The Last Stylebender’ can meet in the Octagon, both fighters have some business to attend to at UFC 276 on Saturday. Alex Pereira faces the ever-controversial Sean Strickland on the evening’s main card. Currently ranked No. 4, Strickland is riding a six-fight win streak and looks to secure a title opportunity with a win over Pereira.

In the main event of the evening, Adesanya will defend his title against the No. 2 ranked contender Jared Cannonier. Winner of five of his last six, Cannonier earned his opportunity with an emphatic win over Derek Brunson at UFC 271.

“If you look at these two, both guys are knockout artists. Both guys have huge power,” said White. People don’t– for some reason, people don’t give Adesanya the credit for the knockouts. This guy’s got 15 wins by knockout. Cannonier has got 10 wins by knockout.”

“Both guys have been criticized about their wrestling. You know, Cannonier has worked on his wrestling over the last couple of years. Stylistically, I see this as a gunfight, man. I think these two are gonna come in and start blasting each other. And this should be a very fun main event. And Adesanya, you know … he loves the belt and what it’s done for him. It’s obviously made him money and lots of other things. He’s looking for highlights now. He wants to just start finishing people with incredible finishes. So it’s got incredible written all over it.”