After a monumental first-round knockout at UFC 300, light-heavyweight Alex Pereira shifted focus to the 265-pound class. With interim champ Tom Aspinall dropping subtle hints, ‘Poatan’ was ready to rebound at UFC 301 in three weeks’ time. However, head honcho Dana White has poured cold water over the notion, and UFC legend Michael Bisping offered up a replacement.
Michael Bisping resounds White’s sentiments that Pereira should not fight a heavyweight on such short notice. Even before, Bisping hadn’t acclimated well to such an idea for a turnaround. However, perceptions have changed much since his most violent knockout at T-Mobile Arena’s title headliner. He KO’ed Jamahal Hill (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at the 3:14 mark of Round 1 to retain the title gold. Bisping wanted a ranked Dagestani fighter to face ‘Poatan’ next.
Real danger against Tom Aspinall is in the grappling, Tom has a ridiculously high fight IQ…Going down to Brazil in three weeks’ time, he has to make that weight cut again, he’s gigantic for 205lbs, so…Magomed Ankalaev. Ankalev is a tremendously well-rounded mixed martial artist. He’s a great wrestler and against Alex Pereira, the game plan would be to shoot to take away the best weapons of Alex Pereira. Michael Bisping via YT
Bisping pitched in Dagestani powerhouse Magomed Ankalaev as an option. Ankalaev is fresh off a win against Johnny Walker at UFC Vegas 84. Bisping thought this would be a stylistic challenge for the two-division UFC & GLORY champ as he has a linear style of striking and kickboxing. The goal, he says, would be to break his guard with hard-hitting grappling. Dagestanis are natural combat Sambo practitioners.
Funnily enough, though, Ankalaev had even agreed to duke it out while standing across from Pereira and not opt for wrestling. Both Pereira and Glover Teixeira (of Teixeira MMA & Fitness) consider him a good challenge. Hence, such a pairing might just see fruition. It remains to be seen if Alex Pereira can rebound soon and if such a bout is billed.
Michael Bisping recants his assessment of Alex Pereira but cautions respectable timeout, recovery, and training camp
Hardcore fight fan or not, one noticeable trend netizens and MMA enthusiasts are seeing is increased gags regarding Alex Pereira. His monumental knockout and mimicking the emote of influencer Khaby Lame has gone viral. Pereira, 10-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC, waved off referee Herb Dean, wanting to pause for a groin strike, and instead delivered a left shovel hook with just his underhand knuckles.
During UFC 300 Fight Eve Preview Show – UFC “Tale of the Tape” for UFC on TNT, Bisping had yet again instigated co-hosts Adam Catterral and Nick Peet to not rule out Hill’s power. From Chael Sonnen , and Joe Rogan to Tom Aspinall, none were ruling out ‘Sweet Dreams’ just yet. That all changed with the Round 1 KO. In the end, Bisping conceded he was wrong in the prediction and revealed what ‘Poatan’ should do for his future bout.
Listen, I just had a feeling Jamahal Hill was gonna catch him in the air and knock him out...Well I was wrong! Alex Pereira put me right in my place...[however] So... it would be dangerous against Tom on the field...and it will damage his stock...Sure, fight Magomed Ankalaev, but give yourself the respect of having a full training camp, don’t be arrogant...because you could pay the ultimate price. Michael Bisping via the “Believe You Me” Podcast on his Official YouTube channel
However, despite the tune-up, Bisping advised Pereira to take advantage of a full camp and rest out better against his next opponent, as he has more to lose out on. A move up to heavyweight is a whole different game, and much more challenge lies ahead of Poatan.
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