UFC gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is staying sharp between fights by sparring with probably the greatest middleweights in MMA in the intervening time: his fellow Brazilian, Caio Borralho.
Pereira shared some footage from his tense sparring rounds with Borralho on social media. As you’ll be able to see, each males positively landed some laborious pictures — a testomony to how good they each are.
Alex Pereira sparring with Caio Borralho 👀🔥
🎥 @AlexPereiraUFC #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/2IpXbuSJQn
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 7, 2025
Alex Pereira doesn’t at present have a combat guide, however is broadly anticipated to defend his title in opposition to streaking Russian contender Magomed Ankalaev in his subsequent Octagon look. He has expressed some hesitation to take the combat previously, however Ankalaev is clearly deserves the chance greater than some other contender within the division.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes that’s Pereira is delaying the match to punish the Russian.
“[Ankalaev has] been speaking quite a lot of s**t and Alex doesn’t like that he talks s**t, so he’s like, ‘f**okay him, make him wait,’” Rogan stated on his podcast.
Pereira, a former Glory kickboxing champ gained the vacant gentle heavyweight title with a knockout Jiri Prochazka in late 2023. He defended the belt 3 times in 2024, first in opposition to former champ Jamahal Hill, then in a rematch in opposition to Prochazka, and eventually in opposition to a tricky Khalil Rountree Jr. He gained all three fights by stoppage, cementing himself as one of many best gentle heavyweight champions behind Jon Jones.
Caio Borralho additionally doesn’t have a combat booked, however locked up the No. 6 spot within the middleweight rankings with a powerful determination win over former title challenger Jared Cannonier in his final Octagon look. He has gained 16 straight fights — a run that additionally features a brutal knockout of Paul Craig. If he is ready to win his subsequent combat, he might earn himself a crack on the division’s title.
