Alex Pereira Lands At #6 In Middleweight Pile Following UFC 276 KO Win Over Sean Strickland

Alex PereiraOff the back of his stunning opening round knockout victory against Sean Strickland last Saturday on the main card of UFC 276, red-hot middleweight contender, Alex Pereira has made his debut in the top-15 of the division-clinching the #6 rank at 185lbs. Alex Pereira, a former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing champion, featured on the main card […]

Alex Pereira

Off the back of his stunning opening round knockout victory against Sean Strickland last Saturday on the main card of UFC 276, red-hot middleweight contender, Alex Pereira has made his debut in the top-15 of the division-clinching the #6 rank at 185lbs.

Alex Pereira, a former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing champion, featured on the main card of last weekend’s high-profile International Fight Week card at UFC 276, stopping Strickland in the first round to earn his third Octagon triumph. 

Circling the North Carolina native onto a thunderous left hook, Pereira dropped Strickland before rendering the contender unconscious with a pair of follow-up right hands. 

The victory came as the Sao Paulo striker’s third in the UFC since his November promotional debut, adding to a flying knee finish against Andreas Michailidis, and a unanimous decision win over compatriot, Bruno Silva. 

Alex Pereira lands at #6 in the official middleweight rankings

Expected to challenge undisputed middleweight titleholder, Israel Adesanya for divisional gold next, Pereira has landed at #6 in the official division rankings update, behind Derek Brunson, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori – who all received climbs as Strickland slipped to #7 off the back of his first round knockout defeat.

Following his hard-fought unanimous decision win over Uriah Hall, surging Brazilian grappling maestro, Andre Muniz managed to capture the #10 rank at 185lbs, cracking the top-10 for the first time in his promotional tenure. 

Moving to #3 at featherweight following his recent jump, Josh Emmett continues to ride momentum following his close, UFC Austin win against Calvin Kattar late last month. Ipswitch striker, Arnold Allen also continued his climb in a shuffle, sitting at joint-#5 alongside Kattar.

In a random shuffle at bantamweight, Ricky Simon moved to #11 in place of former lightweight champion, Frankie Edgar – with the former slated to fight Jack Shore at UFC Long Island. 

Defeating Jessica Eye and sending the one-time title challenger into retirement, Maycee Barber made the leap from #13 to #10 at flyweight to boot. 

Off the back of his one-sided co-headlining loss to featherweight king, Alexander Volkanovski, former titleholder, Max Holloway slipped to #8 in the official pound-for-pound pile, as did Jon Jones, with the former light heavyweight kingpin, sliding to #11 amid his term of inactivity. 

Division champions, Aljamain Sterling, and Jiri Prochazka also climbed in the pound-for-pound rankings, as well as former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier – who managed to secure himself the #6 rank.

Alex Pereira Promises Thriller Against Israel Adesanya After Champ’s Lackluster UFC 276 Fight: “Give A Better Show To The Crowd”

Alex Pereira, Israel AdesanyaAlex Pereira was not a fan of Israel Adesanya‘s performance at UFC 276. This past Saturday, Israel Adesanya added another title defense to his record after handily defeating Jared Cannonier by a unanimous decision. Although Adesanya came out of the contest unscathed, he faced criticism from fans for a lackluster showing that had the audience […]

Alex Pereira, Israel Adesanya

Alex Pereira was not a fan of Israel Adesanya‘s performance at UFC 276.

This past Saturday, Israel Adesanya added another title defense to his record after handily defeating Jared Cannonier by a unanimous decision. Although Adesanya came out of the contest unscathed, he faced criticism from fans for a lackluster showing that had the audience heading for the exit doors midway through the main event.

Alex Pereira assures an exciting match against Israel Adesanya

During the post-fight octagon interview, ‘Stylebender’ wasted no time in setting up a match with ‘Poatan’ as he called out his former foe with a Disney family musical reference.

Having beaten him twice in kickboxing, Pereira has been keen to get his shot at Adesanya in MMA. He’s the only man to have knocked out the reigning UFC Middleweight champion and assures a more exciting outing than Adesanya’s last defense.

“He did his part, but it was a fight that not only didn’t excite me but it also did not excite the crowd,” Pereira said via a Portuguese translator at the evening’s post-fight press conference when asked to comment on the main event. “I was very sad to see that, so I hope when we fight he does a better fight than that. But for sure, I’m going to make him fight to give a better show to the crowd.” (ht MMA Fighting)

‘Poatan’ is ready to go when ‘Stylebender’ is ready

Former Glory two-division champion Pereira now has three wins under the UFC with two of them coming by way of knockout. He added another highlight to his reel on the same card as Adesanya when he knocked out Sean Strickland with his infamous deadly left hook.

Fans have been clamoring for Pereira to be pitted against Adesanya ever since he joined the promotion in November 2021. Now that he has a first-round finish of the fourth-ranked contender, ‘Poatan’ is ready to get his chance at the gold.

“Whenever he’s ready, I just finished my fight, I’m fine,” Pereira said. “So I could start training tomorrow. I’m going to take two weeks to enjoy my life a little bit, but whenever he thinks he’s ready to go, I’m good.”

He’s aware that some doubters exist due to his lack of experience in the sport but feels that he’s made a statement with his latest win.

“A lot of people talk, especially fighters, they think they have a chance over me, so it feels good to prove that because at the end of the day it’s what the people want,” Pereira said. “People want to see knockouts. People want to see the style that I fight. People want to see whoever is in front of me getting knocked out and that’s what I bring for them.”

Israel Adesanya Takes Aim At “Clickbait” Media: “I Could Do Your Job”

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya had more than just rising contender Alex Pereira in his sights following his successful title defense at UFC 276. In the headlining spot of the International Fight Week-held pay-per-view, Adesanya continued his…

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya had more than just rising contender Alex Pereira in his sights following his successful title defense at UFC 276. In the headlining spot of the International Fight Week-held pay-per-view, Adesanya continued his dominance at 185 pounds, adding a fifth defense to his lengthy reign. Having brushed aside the challenges of…

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya Takes Aim At “Clickbait” Media: “I Could Do Your Job” at MMA News.

The Undertaker Reacts To Israel Adesanya Using His Entrance At UFC 276

The Undertaker has offered his reaction to Israel Adesanya using his entrance at UFC 276 this past weekend. “Stylebender” never fails to put on a show, and he channeled his inner “Deadman” for his middleweight title defense agai…

The Undertaker has offered his reaction to Israel Adesanya using his entrance at UFC 276 this past weekend. “Stylebender” never fails to put on a show, and he channeled his inner “Deadman” for his middleweight title defense against Jared Cannonier this past weekend. Adesanya used Undertaker’s WWE theme song, signature walk, and urn prop as…

Continue Reading The Undertaker Reacts To Israel Adesanya Using His Entrance At UFC 276 at MMA News.

Smith On UFC 276 Main Event: It Wasn’t What Adesanya Promised

UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has given his take after middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya delivered another comfortable defense this past weekend. In Saturday’s UFC 276 main event, Adesanya maintained his unchallenged dominance at 185…

UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has given his take after middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya delivered another comfortable defense this past weekend. In Saturday’s UFC 276 main event, Adesanya maintained his unchallenged dominance at 185 pounds, cruising to a unanimous decision victory over Jared Cannonier. With the loss, “The Killa Gorilla” was added as the fifth…

Continue Reading Smith On UFC 276 Main Event: It Wasn’t What Adesanya Promised at MMA News.

The Undertaker Reacts To Israel Adesanya’s UFC 276 Walkout: “He’s An Awesome Entertainer”

The UndertakerFormer WWE wrestler, The Undertaker responds to Israel Adesanya recreating his iconic entrance at UFC 276 this past weekend The reigning middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has made it a point in the past to bring some entertainment to his ring walks. He first caught eyes when he and his dance group would perform a routine […]

The Undertaker

Former WWE wrestler, The Undertaker responds to Israel Adesanya recreating his iconic entrance at UFC 276 this past weekend

The reigning middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has made it a point in the past to bring some entertainment to his ring walks. He first caught eyes when he and his dance group would perform a routine before his first bout with Robert Whittaker, a fight he would win by knockout.

This past weekend, however, Adesanya decided to pay tribute to professional wrestling legend, The Undertaker. ‘Stylebender’ would sport an austere wide brim hat, a part of The Undertaker’s iconic image, and would carry an urn, another prop synonymous with the former WWE champion.

The Undertaker Responds

Many who watched the walkout were entertained by the moment, many around the MMA world either follow pro wrestling or watched it growing up. The Undertaker was a part of the WWE for 30 years, the biggest wrestling promotion in the world.

The Undertaker, or Mark Calaway himself enjoyed the walkout, with Ariel Helwani putting out a tweet with Calaway’s reaction when asked his thoughts on the walkout

‘I asked @undertaker what he thought of @stylebender’s walkout: “I thought it was great! He’s not only a great fighter, he’s an awesome entertainer as well! Tyson Fury gets knocked down & sits up like the UT and Adesanya uses my walkout! Pretty damn cool!”’- Ariel Helwani

The wrestler’s official Twitter account would also tweet at Adesanya, congratulating him on his victory over Jared Cannonier.

‘The long walk many opponents know and fear … congrats @stylebender! #UFC276

Did you like Adesanya’s walkout?