Tag: UFC 295

Alex Pereira backed to prove massive threat to UFC kingpin Jon Jones: ‘He could knock him out’

Alex Pereira backed to prove threat to Jon Jones in UFC fight he could knock him outOff the back of his second title success in another division last month, newly-minted light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira…

Alex Pereira backed to prove threat to Jon Jones in UFC fight he could knock him out

Off the back of his second title success in another division last month, newly-minted light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has been backed to pose a massive threat to heavyweight champion, Jon Jones if he attempts to win a third title, with ex-champion, Fabricio Werdum claiming his compatriot may even “knock out” the Endicott native.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 295 at the beginning of last month at Madison Square Garden, turning in a spectacular second round knockout win over Jiri Prochazka to nab the vacant light heavyweight title.

The win came as Pereira’s second in a championship fight inside just a two year tenure with the Dana White-led promotion, having stopped Israel Adesanya with a fifth round rallying TKO back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden to boot, to land the middleweight title. 

Alex Pereira backed to prove threat to Jon Jones

And weighing up both initial title defenses against former gold holder, Jamahal Hill, or one-time vacant title chaser, Magomed Ankalaev in his return to the Octagon next year, Pereira has been backed to challenge for a third championship in the future, with Werdum backing him to pose a massive threat to the incumbent, Jones if they ever fight.

“I think ‘PoAtan’ (Alex Pereira) would do well at heavyweight, too,” Fabricio Werdum said on his podcast. “I don’t know if he would become the champion, but he has already won two titles. He has the skills to do it, but it wouldn’t be right off the bat. It would depend on who he woud have to face. I think it would be complicated if he faced Jon Jones.”

“Because he would take ‘PoAtan’ down, there’s no other way,” Werdum continued. “He could knock out Jon Jones, but you can’t compare them. ‘PoAtan’s striking technique is much better, but if the fight goes to the ground, it gets complicated. I don’t doubt him on anything, though.” 

Would you like to see Alex Pereira fight Jon Jones in the future?

Alex Pereira prefers title fight with Magomed Ankalaev in UFC return: ‘I would have a strategy for him’

Alex Pereira calls for title fight with Magomed Ankalaev in UFC return I have a strategyDespite the fact he is currently earmarked to defend his light heavyweight crown against former titleholder, Jamahal Hill off…

Alex Pereira calls for title fight with Magomed Ankalaev in UFC return I have a strategy

Despite the fact he is currently earmarked to defend his light heavyweight crown against former titleholder, Jamahal Hill off the back of his vacant title win at UFC 295 earlier this month, Alex Pereira has claimed he would chose to fight Russian contender, Magomed Ankalaev next, viewing the bout as a “tougher” pairing for him.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the promotion, struck vacant light heavyweight gold at UFC 295 at the beginning of this month, the Brazilian stopped former champion, Jiri Prochazka with a second round TKO win at Madison Square Garden in New York.

And in the immediate aftermath of his victory in ‘The Big Apple’, Pereira was earmarked to fight Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Hill in his first attempted title defense by the promotion’s CEO. 

Welcoming a title fight with Hill in his first attempted defense, GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame inductee, Pereira described the Illinois native as overconfident.

I think I proved myself in the light heavyweight division, with the fight against Jiri (Prochazka), winning the title, and obviously as well with the fight against Jan Blachowicz,” Alex Pereira said. “If I would compare these three fighters: Jamahal (Hill), Jan, and Jiri, and someone would tell me, like, ‘Hey, choose one you would like to fight.’ I would choose Jamahal because I think he’s a good opponent for me.” 

“I think it’s just a little bit over or too much as well looking at my story, my history in kickboxing to say I will stand striking and I will knock him out whatever,” Alex Pereira explained. “Because, finally, all the people are always trying it, and I’m sure he wants to strike but when he sees it’s not working, he will go on the ground as well… I think Jamahal is a good fight for me, and I think he was a little bit over [confident] with his statement.”

Alex Pereira outlines plans for Magomed Ankalaev fight

However, the Brazilian has seemingly switched his focus on his first opponent as king at 205 pounds, calling out Ankalaev, who has a January main event rematch with Pereira’s compatriot, Johnny Walker awaiting him in the new year first and foremost.

“I have heard a lot of people say this, that he [Magaomed Ankalaev] would be a bad matchup for me, I like that,” Alex Pereira said on his YouTube channel. “If there were only two guys available for me today, Hill or Ankalaev, if I had a choose one of them. Thinking like that, Hill would be a better matchup, of course. I’m always thinking about winning. It wouldn’t be a sure thing but it would be better for me.”

“Ankalaev would be more difficult,” Alex Pereira explained. “I think it’s a really good challenge for me. It would be harder, I agree, but I’ve been training hard. I’ve been evolving with each session. I would have a strategy for Ankalaev, too, of course. If I could choose, I’d pick him over Hill.” 

Who wins in a future fight for gold: Alex Pereira or Magomed Ankalaev?

Video – Alex Pereira paints face, wears huge headdress for fired up face off with Jiri Prochazka pre UFC 295

Alex Pereira wears headdress and face paint for intense face off with Jiri Prochazka ahead of UFC 295After successfully making weight for tomorrow’s massive vacant light heavyweight championship fight between Jiri Prochazka, and Alex Pereira at…

Alex Pereira wears headdress and face paint for intense face off with Jiri Prochazka ahead of UFC 295

After successfully making weight for tomorrow’s massive vacant light heavyweight championship fight between Jiri Prochazka, and Alex Pereira at UFC 295 in Madison Square Garden, the pair shared yet another loaded and intense face-off, ahead of a blockbuster main event in ‘The Big Apple’.

Prochazka, former undisputed light heavyweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 275 back in June of last year in Singapore, landing the divisional title with a rallying fift round submission win over former champion and Pereira’s close friend, Glover Teixeira with a rear-naked choke stoppage.

Sidelined in the time since, Czech Republic native, Prochazka was slated to headline a December card against Teixeira in an immediate title rematch, however, a debilitating shoulder injury ruled the champion from the bout, as he relinquished his championship.

As for Pereira, the fan-favorite former undisputed middleweight titleholder earned his title fight at 205 pounds back in July at UFC 291, landing a close, split decision win over Polish veteran, Jan Blachowicz.

Alex Pereira sports headdress, face paint ahead of UFC 295

Coming in at 204lbs even for his championship fight with Prochazka this weekend compared to the former champion who landed at 204.2lbs for the clash, Alex Pereira wore a headdress in typical fashion for the ceremonial weigh-ins in New York City, as well as sporting menacing face paint for the staredown.

Boasting an undefeated record in two UFC appearances at Madison Square Garden, Pereira, who was inducted into the GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame ahead of his light heavyweight title siege, made his debut at ‘The Mecca’ back in 2021.

Kicking off his middleweight run with a highlight-reel flying-knee knockout win over Andreas Michailidis, Pereira would then snatch the undisputed middleweight title with a fifth round rallying TKO win over former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya.

Who wins tomorrow at MSG: Jiri Prochazka or Alex Pereira?

Exclusive – Luke Thomas Believes Jiri Prochazka’s ‘Reckless’ style may catch up to him at UFC 295

Jiri ProchazkaRenowned MMA journalist Luke Thomas believes Jiri Prochazka’s signature recklessness could lead to his defeat inside Madison Square Garden….

Jiri Prochazka

Renowned MMA journalist Luke Thomas believes Jiri Prochazka’s signature recklessness could lead to his defeat inside Madison Square Garden.

‘Denisa’ returns to the Octagon nearly 18 months removed from his Fight of the Year contender with Glover Teixeira. That was the last time fans had the chance to see Prochazka in action after the heavy hitter suffered a devastating shoulder injury, forcing him to relinquish the light heavyweight title.

UFC 295 will see Prochazka come back to reclaim the title he never lost, but his toughest test to date will be standing in his way.

In the time that Prochazka has been shelved, Alex Pereira has been on an absolute tear, earning knockouts against Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya in back-to-back fights and claiming the middleweight title. He has since made the move from 185 to 205, scoring a win over former titleholder Jan Blachowicz. His split-decision victory against the Polish powerhouse earned him the opportunity to capture his second UFC title in less than a year.

Speaking with LowKick MMA in an exclusive interview, Luke Thomas of Morning Kombat believes that Prochazka could leave NYC with the gold once again wrapped around his waist, but admits that ‘Denisa’ will have a lot of things working against him come fight night.

“You’ve got a guy coming off a devastating injury, a terrible long layoff, and he fights reckless as sh*t,” Thomas said. “It’s gonna be hard to have him as a huge favorite. I mean, if people think he’s going to win, I don’t think that’s in any way crazy. That’s not. It’s not some absurd notion or anything because obviously, he became champion and not by accident.

“There are two parts to that story, but Pereira has been active. He has been a champion. I think that he has changed to a much more appropriate weight class which I think is going to help his chin. He is accurate. He is heavy-handed. He is much more judicious with his offense in general.“

Currently, Alex Pereira is listed as a slight favorite roughly 24 hours before UFC 295 kicks off. ‘Poatan’ is a -125 favorite, meaning you have to put $125 on the line to win $100. Prochazka is sitting at +105. A $100 bet on him could bring you a return of $105.

“I can understand why the oddsmakers see it as close, but you would not be surprised if Prochazka goes in there and does something absurd and wins,” Thomas added. “That’s what this guy does, even after a long layoff, but how many times can he get away with being insanely reckless?”

Official – Jiri Prochazka, Alex Pereira successfully make weight for UFC 295 title fight showdown

Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira successfully make weight for UFC 295 title fight weigh-in resultsFormer Octagon champions, Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira have both successfully made weight for tomorrow’s vacant light heavyweight championship…

Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira successfully make weight for UFC 295 title fight weigh-in results

Former Octagon champions, Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira have both successfully made weight for tomorrow’s vacant light heavyweight championship fight topper at UFC 295 – as the duo look to battle it out for 205 pound supremacy. 

Prochazka, a former undisputed light heavyweight titleholder under the banner of the organization, has been sidelined for over 18 months, having most recently landed the undisputed crown with a fifth round rallying submission win over Alex Pereira’s close friend and teammate, Glover Teixeira. 

Suffering a catastrophic shoulder injury ahead of a planned light heavyweight title fight rematch with Teixeira last December, the Czech Republic native will make his return to competition this weekend in ‘The Big Apple’. 

As for Pereira, the Sao Paulo native made his light heavyweight divisional bow back in July at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City, Utah, earning this weekend’s vacant title siege in a close, split decision win over former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz.

Also featured on the card, surging heavyweight contenders, Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall feature in a co-main event bracket with interim heavyweight spoils on the line for the victor.

Alex Pereira – Jiri Prochazka make weight for UFC 295 title fight

Successfully making weight for their 205 pound championship tilt at Madison Square Garden, Prochazka weighed in second of the weight, coming in at a comfortable 204.2 pounds for the title fight – while Pereira, who appears to have filled out in his light heavyweight frame, came in at 204 pounds even for the bout.

Below, catch the entire weigh-in results from UFC 295 ahead of a championship doubleheader in New York City.

Main Card:

Light Heavyweight: Jiri Prochazka (204.2lbs) vs. Alex Pereira (204lbs)

Heavyweight: Sergei Pavlovich (259.8lbs) vs. Tom Aspinall (261.6lbs)

Strawweight: Mackenzie Dern (115.6lbs) vs. Jessica Andrade (116lbs)

Lightweight: Matt Frevola (155.6lbs) vs. Benoit Saint Denis (156lbs)

Featherweight: Pat Sabtini (145.8lbs) vs. Diego Lopes (145.4lbs)

Preliminary Card:

Flyweight: Stephen Erceg (125.6lbs) vs. Alessandro Costa (125.4lbs)

Strawweight: Tabatha Ricci (115.4lbs) vs. Loopy Godinez (115lbs)

Lightweight: Mateusz Rebecki (155.8lbs) vs. Roosevelt Roberts

Lightweight: Nazim Sadykhov (155.6lbs) vs. Viacheslav Borschchev (154.8lbs)

Early Preliminary Card:

Lightweight: Jared Gordon (155.6lbs) vs. Mark O. Madsen (154.6lbs)

138lbs Catchweight: John Castaneda vs. Kyung Ho Kang (138lbs)

Flyweight: Kevin Borjas (125.8lbs) vs. Joshua Van (125.8lbs)

Featherweight Dennis Buzkja (145.6lbs) vs. Jamall Emmers

Israel Adesanya claims middleweights should thank him for Alex Pereira’s division move: ‘Get on your knees’

Israel Adesanya claims middleweights should thank him for Alex Pereira's division move get on your kneesAhead of UFC 295 tomorrow night, former two-time middleweight champion. Israel Adesanya has claimed division contenders should be thanking…

Israel Adesanya claims middleweights should thank him for Alex Pereira's division move get on your knees

Ahead of UFC 295 tomorrow night, former two-time middleweight champion. Israel Adesanya has claimed division contenders should be thanking on their knees, for the impending light heavyweight run of Alex Pereira, claiming he more or less forced him out of the division.

Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 293 back in September in Sydney, Australia, suffering a spectacular upset loss to common-foe, Sean Strickland in a unanimous decision defeat to the newly-minted champion.

The defeat as City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya’s second in a championship fight in the space of the year, having dropped his middleweight crown to Brazilian knockout artist, Pereira last November at Madison Square Garden.

In April of this year, Adesanya avenged his loss to the Sao Paulo striker, with a thunderous second round KO of his own, before Pereira would test light heavyweight waters in July, successfully. 

Israel Adesanya claims he made Alex Pereira pursue a light heavyweight move

And according to Adesanya, ahead of Pereira’s title charge against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 in ‘The Big Apple’, the former claims middleweight fighters should be thankful to him for Pereira’s 185 pound departure.

“These middleweights can get on their f*cking knees and thank me ‘cause I got this man [Alex Pereira] out of there [middleweight],” Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “If not, you would have to deal with him over and over and over again, all of you.”

“I doubt any of you would want to f*cking fight this guy. I did four times but I got it done just with one,” Israel Adesanya explained.

Claiming himself that he would remain sidelined since his loss to Strickland until 2027 at the very earliest, Adesanya has since flirted with a return to the Octagon as soon as March of next year, after professional footballing star, Cristiano Ronaldo urged the Nigerian-Kiwi to fight at a UFC Saudi Arabia event next March. 

Do you agree with Israel Adesanya’s take on Alex Pereira’s move to 205 pounds