Tag: UFC 283

Recently minted undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has once again weighed up a potential fight against undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev – touting his own wrestling defense in the form of an indigenous wrestling match.

Pereira, who recently claimed how he approached the UFC about potentially booking him against unbeaten wrestling ace, Chimaev atop January’s UFC 283 card in his native Brazil – offering to make the walk at the light heavyweight limit of 205lbs as to avoid a substantial weight cut for both on such short notice.

According to the Sao Paulo native, however, Chimaev rejected the offer to fight him in Rio de Janeiro – a claim the latter has since denied. 

For Chimaev, the AllStars MMA staple has been continuously linked with a title-eliminator at welterweight against former interim titleholder, Colby Covington, however, has yet to book his next UFC outing.

Last time out, Chimaev improved to 12-0 as a professional, defeating upcoming UFC Fight Night Orlando main event star, Kevin Holland with a dominant first round D’Arce choke win. 

Touting his own takedown defense as rumblings of a fight against Chimaev continue to take a foothold, Alex Pereira shared footage of himself taking part in an indigenous wrestling match – with the caption, “(Khamzat) Chimaev trying to take me down.”

In response to Pereira, Chimaev mocked the Brazilian striker’s defense, questioning “ this is your level?” among a slew of laughing face emojis. 

Alex Pereira is expected to rematch Israel Adesanya next

Winning the undisputed middleweight title earlier this month with a stunning fifth round standing TKO win over former titleholder, Israel Adesanya. In the time since his spectacular Madison Square Garden victory, Alex Pereira has welcomed an immediate title re-run with the Nigerian-Kiwi next. 

Pereira’s fifth round knockout win to land the middleweight title followed prior victories over Sean Strickland, Bruno Silva, and Andreas Michailidis during his short tenure under the Dana White-led UFC banner.

Recently minted undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has offered to share the Octagon with undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzar Chimaev – at the light heavyweight limit, in a return to his native Brazi to boot. 

Taking main event status at UFC 281 earlier this month at Madison Square Garden, Pereira managed to clinch the undisputed middleweight championship – stopping arch-rival, Israel Adesanya with a rallying fith round standing TKO victory.

Off the back of the victory, Pereira was linked with a future title fight against the undefeated, Chimaev, with the Chechen-born contender offering to make a stunning quickfire turnaround and fight the Sao Paulo native at UFC 282 later this month in ‘Sin City’.

Khamzat Chimaev has been offered a light heavyweight clash by Alex Pereira

Offering to make a fight with Chimaev a reality should the AllStars MMA staple remain keen on a matchup, Pereira, a former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing champion, has offered to make a light heavyweight return in a Brazil homecoming against Chimaev at UFC 283 in January.

“Okay, number one, he (Alex Pereira) said he’ll fight (Khamzat) Chimaev in Rio at light heavyweight, right,” Alex Pereira told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour through an interpreter. “Not a problem for him – number two, I think Brendan Schaub was running his mouth, you know, I don’t even wanna translate.”

“So, here’s the deal, he’ll fight Chimaev in Rio at 205 (pounds), and he proposes to do a bet with Schaub.” Alex Pereira said. “$50,000 if he beats Chimaev. If we both go, and those 50k from both sides, we donate to kids in aid. Also, 50 more ($50,000) that he (Chimaev) will not take him down in 30 seconds, to donate to the charity too.”

Despite urging Adesanya to think about some time off following his knockout defeat in New York City earlier this month, Pereira insists if the City Kickboxing trainee wants to fight him next, he will oblige in an immediate title re-run.