A kickboxing icon believes Alex Pereira must have made a key change in order to reclaim the light heavyweight title.
Ahead of UFC 320, the tension between Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev has already been building while both men are in Las Vegas.
They will meet on October 4 in a rematch of their UFC 313 bout in March, where the 205-pound gold changed hands via a unanimous decision win.
While Pereira was able to stop Ankalaev’s takedowns, much to the surprise of the fans, he wasn’t able to capitalize in the striking exchanges.
A record-breaking kickboxer believes that there’s one aspect of the former champion’s preparations that he needed to address ahead of this Saturday.
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Semmy Schilt says Alex Pereira needs to train more specifically for Magomed Ankalaev’s style after being surprised at UFC 313
As the only kickboxer to have five major heavyweight tournament wins to his name, Semmy Schilt is one of the sport’s all-time greats.
He gave his thoughts on the main event of UFC 320 in an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow last month.
While Pereira has looked impressive in his training footage, none of this will matter if he isn’t able to find a way to have more success with his striking on October 4.
Schilt believes, after watching the first fight back, that ‘Poatan’ wasn’t expecting Magomed Ankalaev to be as good of a boxer as he proved to be on that night.
The Dutch legend pinpointed Pereira’s preparations, and specifically sparring fighters that use the same stance as his next opponent, as the change that could make the difference for the Brazilian.
“Most of the time, he’s fighting left leg forward fighters and they’re not the best kickboxers and now you’re standing against a right leg forward [opponent] and he can box… If you look at the fight, the moments that Alex is doing well is mostly moments where he is left leg forward.
“So, what I think Alex should have done for the next fight is to train with right legged kickboxers who know how to box, who are good, because this guy is good and when you’re standing right leg forward against left leg forward, the distance is much bigger and you have to turn a different way.”
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Alex Pereira believes that UFC 320 will be the end of his rivalry with Magomed Ankalaev
When Alex Pereira was asked in an interview with MMA Junkie whether UFC 320 could set up a trilogy between him and Magomed Ankalaev, he responded, “I think the story will be over.”
‘Poatan’ doesn’t believe that if he’s able to avenge his prior loss, the UFC will be trying to position both men for another bout to close out their rivalry.
“To be honest, from everything we’ve seen, I think with him losing, I don’t think he’s going to fight for the title any more.”
If he is not able to recapture the title on Saturday night, there will be big conversations about what is next for Pereira at 38 years old.