While Alex Pereira was a heavy betting favourite heading into UFC 307, the Brazilian famous person nonetheless needed to present what it means to be a world champion as he battled by sickness and damage to earn the dramatic fourth-round end.
Within the aftermath of one more viral knockout, ‘Poatan’ would acknowledge that he’s trying ahead to some well-deserved time away from the game – as consideration now turns to what could possibly be a big subsequent few weeks for the way forward for the UFC mild heavyweight division.
Previous and future opponents react to Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 title battle victory
On the UFC 307 post-fight press convention, Alex Pereira would reveal a string of points that he’d suffered in coaching for Khalil Rountree Jr, together with a number of extreme injuries as well as a prolonged illness.
Given the extraordinary stress attributable to a irritating battle camp and the truth that he’s simply efficiently defended the 205lb title for the third time this yr, Pereira will now enter a well-deserved interval of relaxation and restoration…. However the present should go on.
Fortunately, we already know who Pereira’s subsequent title challenger is most certainly going to be; with Dana White just lately confirming that if he’s in a position to get by Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 later this month, the promotion will transfer to make ‘Poatan’ vs Magomed Ankalaev subsequent.
“Pay attention, Ankalaev’s ranked quantity two [so] if he goes out and places on an unbelievable efficiency and Alex remains to be the champion, then he’s subsequent,” White informed reporter Kevin Iole previous to UFC 307.
The Russian wrestler, who’s using a 12-fight unbeaten streak, has now come out to congratulate Pereira on his victory in Salt Lake Metropolis – noting the way it’s now his flip to carry up his finish of the deal.
“Congratulations each guys it was an excellent battle,” Ankalaev wrote on X, including “I’m glad wudu man received and now I’ve to do my job beat Rakic and after that kill the spill.”
That was one in all a number of posts made by high mild heavyweight contenders, with former opponents Jiri Prochazka and Jan Blachowicz additionally sharing their ideas on the title battle: albeit from wildly totally different views.
“Simply received again from Coaching and noticed the principle Combat #UFC307. Good taking motion in First two rounds from Khalil. Then endurance and nonstop motion from Alex, Stunning hunt,” wrote Prochazka, including how he’s “Again to the Coaching. Time to EVOLVE.”
Surprisingly, it was the usually mild-mannered Blachowicz who took challenge, writing on X: “With all of the respect however from the very starting this battle was like my verdict from my final battle – a f****** joke.”
The Polish veteran is at the moment the #4 ranked mild heavyweight on this planet and hasn’t competed within the UFC since dropping a break up determination to Pereira again in July 2023.
But essentially the most egregious response from any mild heavyweight contender got here from Jamahal Hill, who was filmed giving an exaggerated ‘yawn’ as Pereira knocked out Khalil Rountree Jr late into the fourth spherical.
While Hill was shortly slammed by UFC followers for the response, it’s protected to say that Pereira received the final chortle. After being asked if he believes Hill’s gesture was meant to point that the title battle was boring, Poatan hilariously responded “Yeah, [but] perhaps he simply awakened from UFC 300.”
So, Alex Pereira’s subsequent opponent could possibly be confirmed by the tip of this month, with Aleksandar Rakic vs Magomed Ankalaev set to go down on the principle card of UFC 308 – scheduled for October 26 in Abu Dhabi.
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