One of the only holes in Alex Pereira’s MMA game is seemingly his wrestling and grappling defense but the 37-year-old has drafted in the talent to help patch up that part of his game.
Since joining the UFC in 2021 and subsequently becoming the sport’s biggest active star, Alex Pereira has been fortunate that he hasn’t had to fight a wrestling or grappling specialist, yet.
After his recent title defense against Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 307, ‘Poatan’ knows that he is likely set to defend his title against Magomed Ankalaev next, but the Russian has bizarrely claimed that he will stand and strike with the champion.
Fans react as Alex Pereira spars grappling ace Dillon Danis
Looking to touch up his grappling game ahead of a potential meeting with Ankalaev, Pereira drafted in the help of grappling ace, and one of the most controversial figures in MMA, Dillon Danis.
Danis has historically been a long-time training partner of Conor McGregor and has been part of the Irishman’s corner team several times, most famously when he fought Khabib Nurmagomedov, with the eventual melee being between Khabib and Danis.
Although the 37-year-old champion is coached by a high-level jiu-jitsu player in Glover Teixeira, Danis has been brought into the gym to seemingly offer some sparring rounds for ‘Poatan’.
In a video posted to X by Full Violence, Pereira and Danis are sparring in front of a packed gym who are watching on. Early into the exchange, the UFC light heavyweight champion secures a takedown after a trip but is then reversed and put on his back by Danis shortly after.
‘Poatan’ then looks to secure a triangle choke but is unsuccessful in his attempt and makes it back to his feet after a scramble.
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Of course, the UFC fanbase is extremely critical of Pereira’s ability on the ground and he has received some criticism following the short sparring clip.
“Dillon actually got on top,” one fan commented.
“Pereira’s grappling is f*cking ass lmao. UFC better keep protecting dude from grapplers,” another fan commented on the video.
Jon Jones willing to vacate heavyweight title to fight Alex Pereira
This coming Saturday at UFC 309, heavyweight champion Jon Jones makes his controversial comeback against Stipe Miocic.
Ahead of his first fight in over a year, Jones has expressed his desire to fight against Pereira in what he has labeled as a huge fight for his legacy, which has angered a large majority of the fanbase who think ‘Bones’ should be fighting interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall next.
Despite that, Jones has revealed that he would be willing to vacate the heavyweight title if he successfully defends it at UFC 309, in pursuit of a fight with ‘Poatan’.
“The interim championship shouldn’t have been there in the first place. The only reason why there was an interim championship fight was because I got hurt and they needed to keep the importance of that Madison Square Garden event,” Jones told Aaron Bronsteter.
“It would be cool to fight (Pereira) over the heavyweight championship but I would also willingly give up the heavyweight championship. I walked away from the light heavyweight championship and I’d love to walk away from this one as well, on top.
“Fighting Pereira for the BMF belt, that would be cool. We both have two belts in two weight classes and if we fought we’d both be fighting for our third belt, how cool would that be?” Jones claimed.