February 2, 2025 9:40 am ET
Sean Strickland appreciates having Alex Pereira in his nook for UFC 312.
Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) challenges middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in a title-fight rematch, which headlines the Feb. 8 occasion at Qudos Financial institution Area in Sydney (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+).
Strickland requested Pereira if he may nook him, and the UFC gentle heavyweight champion fortunately obliged.
“He stated he’s down,” Strickland informed MMA Junkie. “He’s a superb dude, man. He’s such a superb f*cking dude. He has a tricky struggle developing in opposition to (Magomed) Ankalaev and if he wants me for that, I’ll be out to assist with him. So it form of goes mutual.” Lower than a month later, Pereira will defend his gentle heavyweight title in opposition to Magomed Ankalaev within the UFC 313 headliner on March 8 at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas. Ankalaev has educated at Xtreme Couture earlier than, however Strickland explains that his bond with Pereira runs deeper.
“He hasn’t performed his final two camps right here, and it’s form of onerous coaching with two guys, however Alex has gone out of his means to assist me,” Strickland stated. “Me and Ankalaev have this mutual respect, and Ankalaev is a good man, but when Alex wants me after this struggle, I’ll be going to Connecticut to offer him some work.”
Strickland admires “Poatan’s” journey, which noticed him go from poverty to a two-division UFC champion.
“You’ve acquired to have respect for Alex,” Strickland stated. “The place did that f*cking man come from? A f*cking tire store, dude. He got here from actually nothing and has made a life for himself. In order an American, Alex is the form of American dream. He likes weapons. In order an American, you need to have respect for somebody with that form of drive and dedication.”
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