When it seemed like Alex Pereira would be deep in training, locked away in preparation for his highly awaited rematch with Magomed Ankalaev, he instead posted an update that surprised many fans. With the light heavyweight title on the line and Ankalaev requesting an immediate rematch, fans expected ‘Poatan’ to be completely focused on honing his skills. However, instead of tough training footage or fierce sparring sessions, Pereira’s most recent social media update showed a different story altogether. So, what did he share?
It turns out that the former champion was enjoying life in style. The Brazilian took to Instagram to post a story from inside a Ferrari showroom, capturing the moment when he snapped a photo of his brand-new premium vehicle from the $79 billion company. In his caption, he kept it short and meaningful: “Obrigado Deus” (Thank you, God), a remembrance of his journey from the favelas of São Paulo to become one of the most dominant knockout artists in UFC history. While Magomed Ankalaev is pushing for a rematch, ‘Poatan’ appears to be in no rush, taking time to savor the benefits of his effort before returning to the cage.
Meanwhile, Ankalaev has wasted no time in raising the pressure on his Brazilian rival. The new champion, as confident as ever, stated earlier that he had already agreed to a rematch. “I have a date and I accepted already; I hope my opponent will accept too. This time there will be no 5 rounds; I don’t get paid by the hour #BigANK,” he stated. The Dagestani powerhouse is confident that their second fight will not go the distance and is eager to prove that he can finish the UFC’s most dangerous knockout artist before the final bell.
NEW YORK CITY, NY – NOVEMBER 12: Alex Pereira looks on in his Middleweight title fight against Israel Adesanya during the UFC 281 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2022 in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages) (Louis Grasse / SPP)
However, after proving his grappling defense in their previous bout by defending all 12 of Magomed Ankalaev‘s takedown attempts, the Brazilian may be looking to make the necessary improvements before committing to such a quick turnaround. For now, ‘Poatan’ is unconcerned about the pressure as evidenced in his Instagram story. Whether he’s training for retribution or celebrating his achievement, he keeps his cool as always. But there are things that he will have to work on, and former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has some tips to share.
Jamahal Hill’s wise words to help Alex Pereira fight Magomed Ankalaev
With Alex Pereira still trying to figure out the changes he has to make for a possible rematch, former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has stepped in with some useful advice. Hill, who formerly had a fierce rivalry with ‘Poatan,’ now recognizes the Brazilian’s ability to adapt while emphasizing the need for a better game plan. In his recent analysis of the UFC 313 fight, Hill noted that the Brazilian lacked the aggression that many expected of him, allowing Ankalaev to command the tempo.
“I thought we would see more aggression from Pereira. I thought he would be more forward, more pressure on him,” Hill said, implying that Pereira was dealing with unexpected obstacles that disturbed his normal pace. The American fighter believes that if Pereira wants to reclaim the light heavyweight title, he must considerably raise his output. Hill stated that, while ‘Poatan’ had moments of success, he eventually lost four of five rounds in their first fight, with Ankalaev making significant changes to keep him ahead. “He’s going to have to up his cardio a lot because his output is going to have to go up,” Hill advised, emphasizing the importance of Alex Pereira pushing the tempo rather than waiting for counter chances.
He also emphasized the need to use more kicks, which might keep Ankalaev guessing and prevent him from settling into his own rhythm. Pereira was previously at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings, even being considered for a fight against Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall. But the setback against Ankalaev threw a wrench in his plans, forcing him to reconsider his course forward. Meanwhile, Ankalaev is keen to cement his reign as champion and make no mistake about his dominance in the UFC. But what do you think? Will Alex Pereira be able to reclaim his throne in the rematch? Let us know in the comments.
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