Former two-division GLORY champion Alex Pereira is likely one of the most embellished strikers to ever enter the UFC’s octagon.
But, he says you shouldn’t be shocked if he wins an MMA struggle through submission at some point.
Pereira has solely misplaced as soon as by tapout — he dropped his MMA debut through rear-naked choke in 2015 — and has since labored intensively on his jiu-jitsu and wrestling with ex-UFC champion and mentor Glover Teixeira en path to capturing the UFC middleweight belt.
Pereira meets Jiri Prochazka for the vacant UFC mild heavyweight title at Saturday’s UFC 295 occasion at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York, and fired again at Prochazka’s latest feedback about him not being “a good martial artist” other than his apparent placing abilities.
“Not solely him, however everybody who fights me assume that means,” Pereira stated on MMA Combating’s Trocação Franca podcast. “I want their phrases had been trustworthy, that they actually thought that means, as a result of generally folks get pissed off.
“Perhaps [Jan] Blachowicz bought pissed off slightly bit, he thought it was going to be too simple to get my again and submit me as a result of I’m not a jiu-jitsu man, however I practice actually exhausting and I’m evolving, ? I’m coaching with Glover and I understand how exhausting it’s for Glover to strive a submission on me, to submit me. When [my opponent] comes with that mindset that I do know nothing on the bottom, that’s nice for me.”
Prochazka ended 25 of his 29 MMA wins with knockouts and solely has three submissions to his credit score, the most recent being his title win over Teixeira in a wild comeback in Singapore.
Pereira doesn’t count on the Czech expertise to enter UFC 295 on the lookout for a 25-minute grappling match, however is certain Prochazka “will strive one thing completely different if issues get exhausting for him” on the toes. And in the event that they do enter a grappling change at Madison Sq. Backyard, “Poatan” stated “something is feasible” relating to including the primary submission victory to his MMA file.
“If I’m in an incredible place the place I really feel comfy, I’ll certain danger it and consider in a submission. You might be certain of that,” Pereira stated. “Each time I struggle, I need to come out with the victory. I don’t know the way it’s going to be, however I’ll be prepared, I’ll be ready. I need to go 5 rounds and depart no doubts, however something can occur. I’ve no prediction, however something can occur.”
“It’s going to be a conflict,” he continued. “All people is aware of my historical past and Prochazka’s historical past. He’s an aggressive and unpredictable man, you don’t know the place the strikes are coming. [I have to] keep alert, be good. I’m not coaching solely with one-dimensional guys, I’m coaching with a number of those who helped me perceive his recreation, and I feel it matches up very well for me.”
