As the highly anticipated showdown between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev draws near, set to take place on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, many are questioning whether Pereira is adequately preparing for what’s considered his greatest test as the new UFC superstar. The reasoning behind this skepticism lies in Ankalaev’s ability to take the fight to the ground, potentially moving Pereira away from his comfort zone in striking, where he has historically been devastating.
While Pereira has assured that despite his travels, he hasn’t neglected his preparation, there’s a growing debate about whether he’s facing the fight with the seriousness it demands. Recent trips to Australia, coupled with long flights, a hectic schedule, and numerous interviews, have raised eyebrows. Former champion Daniel Cormier, discussing this on his YouTube channel with Chael Sonnen, expressed his concerns: “This guy (Pereira) was seen in Australia last week, shaking Drake’s hand when Drake took the stage for his concert. One, Drake constantly loses millions of dollars betting on people, so you don’t want Drake betting on you because he doesn’t have the best victorious history. But what is Pereira still doing in Australia? Fighting in two weeks! Ankalaev is here, in Las Vegas; I found him at the UFC Pi last week. He is honestly concentrated, ready to win this fight against Alex Pereira.”
Cormier’s sentiments echo a broader concern about Pereira’s focus and readiness for the fight, particularly given Ankalaev’s strategic approach, which could capitalize on Pereira’s potential jet lag and lack of adjustment to the time difference. “I returned from Australia and all last week I was awake at 3 in the morning. I don’t care that Pereira has weeks to prepare, he will be ready, he will be prepared, but even those two or three additional days in which he is adjusting his watch to return to the agenda in Connecticut, and then, once it ends in Connecticut to fly to Las Vegas the week of the fight, to adapt to two more hours… you will have to deal with all that trip and all that time difference,” Cormier added, highlighting the potential disadvantage Pereira might face due to his travel schedule.
Moreover, there are doubts about Pereira’s sports and style preparation to face an opponent like Ankalaev, whose fighting style on the ground could pose a significant challenge. Pereira has mentioned that he isn’t preparing for the fight differently, viewing Ankalaev as “just another guy,” and has been focused on grappling and Jiu-Jitsu. However, Cormier believes that Pereira should be working closely with someone like Glover Teixeira, given his expertise in wrestling, to better prepare for Ankalaev’s strategy. “Glover is the guy who should be doing the greatest work with Alex at this time due to the ‘wrestling’,” Cormier emphasized, questioning whether Pereira has the right support in his preparation.
Cormier’s comments reflect a broader skepticism within the UFC community about Pereira’s readiness for the fight, not just physically but also mentally. The concern is that Pereira’s recent activities and travels might not align with the focused preparation needed to face an opponent as formidable as Ankalaev. As the fight approaches, all eyes will be on Pereira to see how he adjusts and prepares for what could be the most challenging defense of his title to date.
