Alex Pereira is doing all he can to get his UFC title back.
The former two-division UFC champion returns in the main event of UFC 320 in a title rematch against champion Magomed Ankalaev on Oct. 4.
Ankalaev captured the UFC light heavyweight title in March, defeating Pereira by unanimous decision.
Ankalaev was unable to get Pereira to the ground on 12 takedown attempts. Ankalaev outstruck the former kickboxing champion on the feet three rounds to two.
With a tough rematch ahead of him, Pereira brought in a former foe-turned-friend for his training camp.
Sean Strickland training with Alex Pereira ahead of UFC 320
Sean Strickland is training with Pereira once again.
The currently suspended former middleweight champion fought Pereira at UFC 276 in 2022 and lost by first-round knockout.
Strickland and Pereira have become close since then, with ‘Poatan’ having Strickland cornered for his championship fights against Dricus du Plessis.
On Monday, Strickland confirmed he was a part of the Pereira camp for Ankalaev.
“Why is there a gym in Connecticut filled with violent Brazilians?!” Strickland posted a photo with him, Pereira, and former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira.
Strickland was recently banned from fighting in the UFC for six months after assaulting a fighter in the cage following a regional fight. Strickland’s sentence can be reduced if he passes an anger management course.
Fans don’t think Sean Strickland is the right fit to prepare for Magomed Ankalaev
While Strickland is a top-5 middleweight, some fans believe he isn’t the right choice to help Pereira prepare for the extremely well-rounded Ankalaev.
Strickland is a striker who has only shot for two takedowns since he tried to beat Pereira at his own game.
“Bro he needs to find grapplers not a boxer,” a fan said of Strickland joining Pereira’s camp.
“Why? He offers nothing,” another fan said of Strickland.
“And?” the fan said of Strickland training with Ankalaev before.
“Didn’t help at all last time Poatan faced Ank. Strickland can’t mimic Ank…”
“Alex’s teep is about to be amazing man,” a fan said of Pereira working with Strickland.