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Anthony Smith welcomes future clash with Alex Pereira ahead of UFC Charlotte: ‘I would love that fight’

One-time light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith may be preoccupied by a fight with another Brazilian this weekend at UFC on ABC 4 in the form of Johnny Walker, however, stressed his interest in welcoming former middleweight champion, Sao Paulo striker, Alex Pereira to the weight class in the future. Smith, the current #5 ranked […]

Smith, the current #5 ranked light heavyweight contender, is slated to co-headline the promotion’s return to Charlotte, North Carolina this weekend – taking on Rio de Janiero native, Walker over the course of three rounds.

Sidelined since a July main card clash with recent vacant title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 277, Smith has since recovered from an ankle injury suffered in the clash, resulting in a ground strikes TKO blemish.

Prior to that defeat, the Nebraska veteran had embarked on a stunning three fight winning spree, laying waste to emerging talents, Devin Clark, Jimmy Crute, and Ryan Spann.

And as for Pereira, the former middleweight champion, who was touted to struggle at the light heavyweight limit by Smith ahead of his move, is poised to make his Octagon return from a brutal KO loss to Israel Adesanya back in April – in a light heavyweight move.

Anthony Smith notes his admiration for Alex Pereira

However, ahead of his UFC Charlotte return this weekend against Walker, Smith noted his interest in fighting the former’s compatriot, Pereira in the future – noting his admiration for the former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing kingpin.

“Yeah, I would love that fight [with Alex Pereira],” Anthony Smith told assembled media during his availability ahead of UFC Charlotte. “I’m a big fan of Alex, I’m a big kickboxing fan. So I knew who Alex Pereira was before he even came to the MMA side. So I was excited when I seen him get booked at LFA, I believe. I didn’t suspect he would be on the regional scene very long, just because the type of athlete that he is.”

“I think the same problems he would have – outside of Israel Adesanya he would have at 185 [pounds], he would have at 205 [pounds],” Anthony Smith explained. “You know, I’m a huge Israel Adesanya fan, I don’t ever wanna take away anything from that guy, but if Izzy is blast doubling you, and controlling you on the ground. You know, a guy like (Aleksandar) Rakic, (Magomed) Ankalaev, (Jan) Blachowicz, or myself, are gonna give you the same problems.”

Video – Alex Pereira returns to training following brutal KO loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287

Alex Pereira is back in the gym just over a month removed from his second-round knockout loss at the hands of longtime rival Israel Adesanya. After tormenting ‘The Last Stylebender’ under the GLORY Kickboxing banner, Alex Pereira followed the New Zealander into the UFC, intent on taking his middleweight world title. Pereira did exactly that, […]

Alex Pereira is back in the gym just over a month removed from his second-round knockout loss at the hands of longtime rival Israel Adesanya.

After tormenting ‘The Last Stylebender’ under the GLORY Kickboxing banner, Alex Pereira followed the New Zealander into the UFC, intent on taking his middleweight world title. Pereira did exactly that, scoring a fifth-round knockout against Adesanya at UFC 281 in November. Five months later, Adesanya finally broke through, earning his first win over Pereira with a brutal knockout in the second round of their UFC 287 rematch.

A month removed from his first loss inside the Octagon, Alex Pereira is back in the gym and preparing for his next opponent.

Dana White Rules Out Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya Trilogy Bout

With Israel Adesanya focused on facing the winner of UFC 290’s title eliminator between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis, Alex Pereira will likely turn his attention to the light heavyweight division. No official date or opponent has been announced for his 205-pound debut, but there is no shortage of fighters willing to step up and welcome ‘Poatan’ to the once-prestigious weight class.

Pereira is 7-2 in mixed martial arts, owning notable wins over Sean Strickland and the aforementioned Israel Adesanya. Recently, Pereira and Adesanya have been observed going back and forth on social media regarding a potential trilogy bout inside the Octagon. Unfortunately, Dana White has little interest in seeing that happen.

Who would you like to see Alex Pereira square off with in his highly anticipated light heavyweight debut?

Israel Adesanya distinct betting favorite to beat rival Alex Pereira in UFC trilogy title fight

Off the back of his championship redemption at UFC 287 last month, middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya remains a distinct betting favorite to defeat arch-rival, Alex Pereira in a much-speculated and discussed trilogy rubber match between the two. Headlining UFC 287 last month in Miami, Florida, City Kickboxing striker, Adesanya managed to reclaim his undisputed middleweight […]

Headlining UFC 287 last month in Miami, Florida, City Kickboxing striker, Adesanya managed to reclaim his undisputed middleweight championship with a stunning second round KO win over Pereira, flattening the Sao Paulo native with a devastating counter hook at the Octagon fence.

However, back in November of last year, Pereira minted himself as the undisputed middleweight champion in the main event of UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden, stopping Adesanya with a rallying fifth round standing TKO of his own at the Octagon fence.

Landing his first victory over the Brazilian striker as part of their four-fight series across their respective combat sports careers, Adesanya opened and still remains a betting favorite (-185) to beat Pereira – the betting underdog (+165) in they share the Octagon in a championship trilogy rubber match.

TPP list of UFC betting sites offer numerous odds and markets on a host of mixed martial arts events and fights – including outright bets and prop wagers ahead of a potential third mixed martial arts meeting of Adesanya and Pereira later this annum.

1-3 over the course of four combat sports outings against former Kickboxing rival, Pereira, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya first dropped a dubious 2017 decision loss to the Brazilian, before suffering a thunderous KO loss of his own in a Brazilian re-run the following year.

Distancing himself from the prospect of an immediate third battle with former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing champion, Pereira following UFC 287, Adesanya is, however, expected to headline a pay-per-view return to Sydney, Australia for the Octagon against either Robert Whittaker or Dricus du Plessis later this annum.

As for Pereira, the striking berserker has been touted to make a light heavyweight division move in the immediate aftermath of his first UFC loss, weighing up potential fights against the trio of former title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev, former champion, Jan Blachowicz, and current gold holder, Jamahal Hill.

Of note, ahead of their UFC 281 title fight back in November, Adesanya rose as high as a stunning -710 betting favorite to defeat Pereira, however, fell as short as -210 to defeat the Brazilian – prior to his eventual fifth round stoppage defeat at Madison Square Garden.

Over the course of his five fight Octagon tenure, as well as closing as a betting underdog against Adesanya on both occasions, Pereira also closed as a +110 betting underdog for his title-eliminator against Sean Strickland during International Fight Week at UFC 276 last July.

Pereira went on to earn a title outing against Adesanya with a dominant, first round highlight-reel knockout win over Strickland at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Closing as a betting favorite for both fights with Andreas Michailidis, and Bruno Silva – Pereira stopped the former with a stunning flying-knee KO in his UFC bow, before taking a decision win over his Brazilian compatriot at the beginning of last year.

Paul Craig offers to fight ex-Champion Alex Pereira in UFC clash: ‘That gets my plums going’

UFC grappling ace, Paul Craig has offered to fight former undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira next – claiming a showdown with the Brazilian knockout ace, who believes is more than a novice on the ground, gets his “plums going”. Craig, who currently holds the #9 rank in the official light heavyweight pile, has confirmed earlier […]

Craig, who currently holds the #9 rank in the official light heavyweight pile, has confirmed earlier this month that he intends to test middleweight waters off the back of a successful test weight-cut to the lower division.

As for Pereira, the former middleweight kingpin, who dropped his undisputed crown to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 last month in Miami, Florida – will pass Scottish grappler, Craig – with the Sao Paulo striker expected to compete at light heavyweight his Octagon return next.

Paul Craig offers to fight Alex Pereira in light heavyweight bow

However, in search of a next opponent off the back of consecutive defeats to both Volkan Oezdemir, and Johnny Walker in his last two fights, Airdrie native, Craig offered to fight former duel-weight GLORY Kickboxing champion, Pereira.

“I’ve been speaking to my agent last night, and the questions they [UFC] asked were, ‘What do you wanna do? You wanna fight at light heavyweight or middleweight?’ I said, ‘Tell me what you want.’” Paul Craig said on the Leather’d podcast. “Where does Mick Maynard – the matchmaker, where does he want me. I’m a company guy. Tell me who to fight and I’ll fight him.”

Now, I’m looking for a nice fight – a fight that gets me plums going,” Paul Craig explained. ‘I’m looking for something that interests me fight-wise. That’s a fight I’ll take a light heavyweight, a hundred percent, (Alex) Pereira. I’d like that. I don’t rate his Jiu-Jitsu.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Without a victory since submission win over Nikita Krylov back in March of last year at UFC Fight Night London, Craig also holds a first round stoppage win over current undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill.

Alex Pereira claims Israel Adesanya wants ‘Easy fight’ rather than trilogy clash in UFC return later this year

Alex Pereira accused Israel Adesanya of targeting streaking contender Dricus Du Plessis to get an “easy fight. Alex Pereira is coming off his first loss inside the Octagon, surrendering the UFC middleweight championship to ‘The Last Stylebender’ at UFC 287, five months removed from his shocking fifth-round knockout against Adesanya at UFC 281 to capture […]

Alex Pereira accused Israel Adesanya of targeting streaking contender Dricus Du Plessis to get an “easy fight.

Alex Pereira is coming off his first loss inside the Octagon, surrendering the UFC middleweight championship to ‘The Last Stylebender’ at UFC 287, five months removed from his shocking fifth-round knockout against Adesanya at UFC 281 to capture the title. With Alex Pereira slated for a move to light heavyweight, Adesanya will look ahead to his next challenger. That will be determined at UFC 290 in July when former 185-pound champion Robert Whittaker takes on rising contender Dricus Du Plessis in a middleweight title eliminator.

‘Stylebender’ has already taken aim at du Plessis after the South African standout called into question Adesanya’s African heritage. Openly hoping for ‘Stillknocks’ to pass his test against perennial contender Robert Whittaker, Adesanya is determined to teach du Plessis a lesson inside the Octagon. However, Alex Pereira believes Adesanya is simply targeting the easiest possible fight for himself.

“I think Whittaker will win this fight,” Pereira predicted in a recent video shared on his YouTube channel. “He is the big favorite he has already made several fights with great fighters and against Adesanya, he also made two great fights. But for Du Plessis, I wouldn’t say for sure but his chance is minimal against Whittaker. We saw the last fight of Du Plessis right? He is a guy who at the end of the first round was very tired so how a guy like that will fight five rounds against [Whittaker]- if he passes – it would be Adesanya. I think impossible.”

“Whittaker, he is different and has already proven this so I think there is a big difference,” he continued. “If Du Plessis wins. I think it will be a massacre. Adesanya knows this. He wants to make history. He wants to have an easy fight. For me, it’s Du Plessis, he is way easier than Whittaker. He wants to make history and collect wins and he knows it’s a good fight for him.

“Now Whittaker, he already knows it is difficult. In my opinion, both were hard fights even having that knockout in the first fight. In the second fight was a harder fight. I am sure that Whittaker will be better in a third fight, if not win. Of course, Adesanya is difficult, I think Adesanya is the favorite” (h/t MiddleEasy).

The best counterattack
adesanya ko pereira pic.twitter.com/1mFtGKMs8B

— Pasang Ac Depok (@AcPasang) April 30, 2023

Alex Pereira Believes His UFC 281 Win Over Israel Adesanya Has Inspired Robert Whittaker

Alex Pereira suggested that his own win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 could have helped lay the blueprint for Robert Whittaker to score his own victory against the reigning middleweight king. Thus far, ‘The Reaper’ has fallen short on two separate occasions, but the Aussie has been chomping at the bit for a third crack at the New Zealander.

“But a third fight, I think Whittaker will be very dangerous even more knowing that Adesanya, he loses right – he is not an invincible guy, he loses – he already lost a few times, lost in kickboxing and I showed that in MMA – so for sure this will give Whittaker more confidence,” Pereira pointed out.

“I think he just has to do some adjustments,” he said of Whittaker. “Just has to do some things there details, some techniques, a good kick, defense, if he improves this I am sure he will give a lot of work for Adesanya and can be the next champion.”

This angle of Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira at UFC 281 pic.twitter.com/pIcpzCkx9u

— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) November 14, 2022

Alex Pereira Wants a Third Fight with ‘Stylebender’ Inside the Octagon

Alex Pereira has recently called for a third fight with Adesanya inside the Octagon. After suffering a second-round knockout against ‘Stylebender’ last month, many assumed the door would be closed on their long-standing rivalry after all signs pointed toward ‘Poatan’ moving to 205. Alex Pereira revealed that a move to light heavyweight is still the focus, but he has every intention of completing his UFC trilogy with Adesanya. Whether or not Adesanya will accepts the challenge is a different story.

“I don’t know if Adesanya has this interest but if I want, the UFC wants [a trilogy fight], it’s already two points there so if the UFC gets there this year and says, you [Adesanya] are promoting a lot, speaking a lot, then we’ll have to fight. I don’t know if he will accept sincerely, I don’t know, I believe he won’t because soon after the fight you saw that he didn’t do any promotion to give me an immediate rematch.

“So the first opportunity that he had, he said no, forget Alex, he will have to do something for us to have a next fight, right? So I think he just wants to provoke me and is not promoting [a rematch]. I think he is doing it without intention right?, he is talking posting things every second right. As I said taking advantage of this moment of him, but I think if he would know that with all this he is facilitating us to have a third fight, I think he would not do all this and as I said right?,” Pereira explained.

“My focus now is the light heavyweight right. That is my intention,” he added.

Magomed Ankalaev calls for fight with Alex Pereira in division bow: ‘I’ll be more than happy to welcome him’

Recent vacant light heavyweight title challenger, Magomed Anklaev has offered to welcome former UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira to the 205lbs weight class for the Brazilian’s much-anticipated first fight in the weight class. Ankalaev, the current #2 ranked light heavyweight contender has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 282 back in December, fighting to an […]

Ankalaev, the current #2 ranked light heavyweight contender has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 282 back in December, fighting to an eventual majority draw against former division champion, Jan Blachowicz in the pair’s vacant title outing.

Surging through light heavyweight contenders en route to his short-notice vacant title fight with Blachowicz, Russian contender, Blachowicz had struck nine consecutive victories before his draw with Smith.

Suffering just a single, buzzer-beating submission loss to Paul Craig during his professional career, Magomed Ankalaev, who boasts an impressive 18-1-1 professional record, has landed notable wins over the likes fo Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, Volkan Oezdemir, Nikita Krylov, and Ion Cutelaba during his Octagon tenure.

Magomed Ankalaev calls for fight with Alex Pereira in Octagon return

Urged to avoid a fight with Magomed Ankalaev ahead of his light heavyweight division landing by former former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier recently, Pereira – who has teased news on an impending light heavyweight debut, has now received a call out from the Russian.

“Hey @ufc, I’m hungry give me a (sic) work to do,” Magomed Ankalaev tweeted. “@JanBlachowicz, if you’re ready for another fight, show signs of life! If not, I’ll be more than happy to welcome (Alex) Pereira to the new weight division and show that there are different levels in this game.”

Dropping his undisputed middleweight crown last month, Pereira suffered a thunderous second round KO loss to arch-rival, Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 287 in Miami, Florida.

A former two-weight champion under the GLORY Kickboxing banner, Pereira had landed the middleweight title with a rallying fifth round standing TKO win over Adesanya back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden in New York City.