Alex Pereira and Sean Strickland have given fans an insight into their training sessions by posting a grueling sparring video.
The pair of sporting titans squared off in the cage two years ago, but have since become close friends and occasional training partners.
Alex Pereira and Sean Strickland trade leather in tough sparring session
On 2 July, 2022, Alex Pereira rendered Sean Strickland unconscious with a thunderous left hook in front of 19,649 fans at UFC 276 inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
The devastating finish propelled ‘Poatan’ into title contention and sent the American back to the drawing board.
However, rather than losing faith in his abilities, Strickland used the loss as a lesson, going above and beyond to enhance his skills en route to claiming middleweight gold from Israel Adesanya.
Thus, with Pereira moving up to light heavyweight, where he’s added a second UFC title to his mantelpiece, the former opponents have developed a close bond.
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The icons have been learning from one another in the gym, recently pulling back the curtain on what goes on in their sessions, with an explosive sparring video.
The clip, posted on the light heavyweight champion’s Instagram Reels, opens with Strickland exhibiting his humor, saying, ‘Big motherf***er’ and ‘I’m scared’, with a few kicks thrown in between. However, with the cameraman confirming, ‘You’ll be alright bro’, the middleweight got into his groove.
The pair exchanged blows, with Pereira landing a plethora of cracking body shots, while Strickland, holding his own, popped the Brazilian several times with his stinging jab.
As the two men engaged in their second round, fatigue started to kick in, with the pair both breathing very heavily. This initially played into the Californian’s hands, who was able to easily find the target. But rather than letting his opponent start to dominate, Pereira fired back, with blistering kicks to the body and legs.
In the third segment, Strickland marched forward, letting his hands fly, but as the time ticked by, the 205-pound King began to make his presence felt.
The Anaheim native ended up pressed against the wall, but he managed to fight his way out of the situation and found himself in a clinch, where he deployed a knee, followed by a right hand on the break.
With ten seconds left, Pereira shot for a takedown, which his opponent successfully defended. As the final bell rang, the pair touched gloves, with Strickland exclaiming: “Good work.”
Sean Strickland wants Alex Pereira’s power ‘tested’
Following their intense sparring session, Strickland took to Instagram to make a very valid request.
With such Earth-shattering power, exhibited through horrifying knockouts over Jamahal Hill and Adesanya, Pereira has proven beyond doubt that he has the touch of death in his hands.
Therefore, his old opponent is keen to get to the bottom of why that’s the case.
As per MMA Fighting, he posted: “Why do you punch so hard?! We gotta get a scientific study on this man’s power. Great seeing you, man!”
Reciprocating the respect, Poatan, replied: “It’s always a pleasure to train with [you], brother!! We are always evolving!!”
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