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

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 […]

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.

‘The Czech Samurai’ Reveals Who Initiated Michael Chandler-Dustin Poirier Row At UFC 276: “I Saved Them”

Jiri Prochazka has revealed that Dustin Poirier started the altercation with Michael Chandler at UFC 276. This past Saturday, T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, NV was lit up with thrilling performances on a main card that had about no takedowns scored. From Alex Pereira’s vicious knockout of Sean Strickland to the masterclass Alex Volkanovski put on […]

Jiri Prochazka has revealed that Dustin Poirier started the altercation with Michael Chandler at UFC 276.

This past Saturday, T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, NV was lit up with thrilling performances on a main card that had about no takedowns scored. From Alex Pereira’s vicious knockout of Sean Strickland to the masterclass Alex Volkanovski put on Max Holloway, UFC 276 was one for the books.

Michael Chandler & Dustin Poirier get into an argument at UFC 276

Another highlight from the night came outside of the cage when two top lightweights collided. A clip uploaded by Gilbert Burns to his Twitter captured the incident as it went down. Security and company staff can be seen separating ‘Iron’ Mike and Poirier after their initial scuffle.

Michael Chandler is coming off an incredible knockout win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. During his post-fight octagon interview, Chandler doubled down on his performance with an electrifying promo calling out Conor McGregor and Charles Oliveira.

Poirier took issue at the omission of his name and the two have been feuding ever since.

Jiri Prochazka revealed it was Poirier who started the altercation

UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka was in attendance at the International Fight Week event supporting the headliner Israel Adesanya, who’s also signed to Paradigm Sports. Prochazka was closest to the action outside the octagon as he was right next to ‘Diamond’ when the situation escalated.

In an interview with Helen Yee, ‘The Czech Samurai’ talked about the infamous altercation between Chandler and Poirier.

“I was closest, next to Dustin and he started to be aggressive, to talk some trash talks and all this stuff for the Michael,” revealed Prochazka (ht sportskeeda). “And they start to talk together. Nothing surprised for me but I saved them [laughs]. I just watched that and there was a guy from the UFC and they tried to fix it.”

When probed by Yee about who started it, Prochazka revealed that it was Poirier who began to get fired up first before the 205 lbs king intervened, saying, “I think yeah.”

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

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 […]

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.”

Charles Oliveira Eyes Future Fight With Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘He’s Been Talking Too Much’

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has taken umbrage with fellow former titleholder, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s constant calls for him to fight his teammate, Islam Makhachev in a vacant title offing – offering to fight the now-retired UFC Hall of Fame inductee in the not too distant future. Charles Oliveira, the promotion’s most recent undisputed […]

Charles Oliveira, the promotion’s most recent undisputed lightweight champion, was stripped of that title back in May ahead of his UFC 274 main event clash with former interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje, due to a narrow weight-miss during fight week.

Headlining the event, regardless, Oliveira managed to stop the Arizona native in the ‘Copper State’ – rallying from a pair of knockdowns in the first frame to stop drop Gaethje himself, before locking up a slick rear-naked choke.

In the time since, with the lightweight title once more vacant, Oliveira has welcomed many potential suitors in a championship fight, namely the likes of Conor McGregor, however, the Sao Paulo native is expected to eventually share the Octagon with the surging, Makhachev next in a vacant title affair.

With a matchup between the duo yet to land on deck for any future event, Oliveira has insisted that he hopes to fight in his native Brazil ahead of a potential January return to South America for the organization.

And amid the aforenoted, Khabib’s constant campaigning for Makhachev to receive his lightweight title siege, Oliveira has offered to fight the former following a matchup against his protégé.

“I’ll beat him (Islam Makhachev),” Charles Oliveira said ahead of UFC 276 during an interview with AgFight. “So who knows, maybe you (Khabib Nurmagomedov) come out of retirement and come too? Each one says what they want. I am the division’s problem. I have one of the best Jiu-Jitsu (games) in the division, and in the UFC. I think these guys are talking too much. They want to get in my mind, but that’s not possible.”

“The guy (Khabib) was champion, 29 wins in a row, and never said anything,” Charles Oliveira explained. “He always sold the fight in a good way, really damn well and today he is always talking a lot. If it’s to talk, I’m gonna say it. I’ll beat Islam Makhachev and then challenge Khabib to come back from retirement. It’s the fight everyone will want to see. Isn’t that what everyone will want to see? Everyone says Khabib is f*cking tough. I respect him a lot, but lately, he’s been talking too much.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

Charles Oliveira currently boasts the most consecutive wins at lightweight

Riding a division-best 11-fight winning spree, Oliveira captured the vacant lightweight title back in May of last year with a Houston, Texas knockout win over Michael Chandler, before scoring what would come as his sole title defense with a third round standing rear-naked choke success against Dustin Poirier last December.

Jon Jones Receives Stark Warning About Stipe Miocic’s Weight Gain From Ex-UFC Champion

Former two-time UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, has received a rather stark warning from a former promotional champion about the recent size and mass increase of former heavyweight kingpin, Stipe Miocic – with Chris Weidman claiming the Ohio favorite is walking around in the region of 250lbs. Jones, a former two-time undisputed light heavyweight, […]

Jones, a former two-time undisputed light heavyweight, is expected to return to the Octagon this year for the first time since February 2020, with a potential interim heavyweight title fight against Miocic floated in recent months, namely for a September pay-per-view card.

As for Miocic, the former two-time heavyweight champion has been out of action since March of last year, where he suffered a thunderous second round knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in the pair’s championship rematch.

Jon Jones has been warned to expect to share the Octagon with a stout Stipe Miocic

With the duo continually linked to a potential interim title fight before the close of the year, Weidman, a close friend of fellow former champion, Miocic, issued a warning to Jones regarding the size increase of the Ohio striker in recent months.

“I see Jon Jones really working to gain size and Stipe (Miocic) was smaller,” Chris Weidman told The Schmo. “I’ve trained with Stipe, he’s one of my boys, I was hanging out with him last night. Bro, he got big, and he’s been doing it quietly. He’s like a solid 250 (pounds) right now. Solid, 250, and whenever he decides to come back, he’s a problem.”

“I don’t think Jon Jones wants that fight,” Chris Weidman speculated. “If he thinks he’s gonna be going against a 225 pound Stipe, he’s wrong. He’s got a big, strong boy that won’t stop coming forward, and believes in himself, and (is) very well-rounded. He’s a different beast right now. I’m telling you.” (Transcribed by Bloody Elbow)

Weidman, a former undisputed middleweight champion, has been sidelined since April of last year, after he suffered a catastrophic compound fracture of his right tibia and fibula in the opening stages of his UFC 261 fight against Uriah Hall.

Exclusive | Dwight Grant Talks Sparring Sean Strickland: “He Was Like… We’re Gonna Give Each Other Brain Damage”

Before his fight on July 16th at UFC on ABC 3, Dwight Grant stopped by to spend some time with LowKick MMA, where he talked about his first meeting and sparring session with Sean Strickland, who of course, had something wacky to say. ‘The Body Snatcher’ also talked about his upcoming fight against Dustin Stoltzfus, […]

‘The Body Snatcher’ also talked about his upcoming fight against Dustin Stoltzfus, where he’ll look to end a two-fight skid and get back into the win column. Detailing his first meeting with Strickland, Dwight Grant also described that when they first met, he had no idea that the top-ranked middleweight was a UFC fighter.

Dwight Grant Describes Meeting and Sparring Sean Strickland

“The thing about it is,” Dwight Grant began. “I didn’t know that he was like a high-level guy in the UFC before I trained with him. I met up with this dude and we were going to spar, and he was like: ‘Just so you know, we’re going to give each other brain damage today,’ and I was like, ‘Ok, this sounds like fun.’ And he was like, ‘Are you cool with that?’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah man, let’s go.’”

“I like sparring… If you’re telling me ahead of time we’re gonna spar hard, I’m fine with everything,” Dwight Grant continued. “I don’t like when people are like ‘Hey man, let’s go light,’ and then all of a sudden the fight is crazy. It’s like, hey man, what you doing?”

“So, the fact that he just met me, didn’t know me, and was off the bat like: ‘Hey, this is gonna be crazy just so you know,’ was perfect. We had great sparring sessions… It was cool, I would definitely train with him again,” Grant concluded.

‘The Body Snatcher’ would go on to add that Sean Strickland may be a bit misunderstood, as well. “I think a lot of the other stuff people get into with him, is just based on how people react to him. They probably think about stuff ahead of time, and base that pre-judgment on how he’s gonna be. I didn’t have any because I didn’t know who he was at the time. I was like, ‘this guy’s been straight up and honest with me, so we’re gonna have a good training (session).’”

Check out the full interview below for more!

Do you think sparring too hard might have contributed to Sean Stricklands UFC 276 knockout loss?