And people say Alex Pereira can’t wrestle.
Though the UFC light heavyweight champion and former middleweight champion is best known for his skills as a striker, that doesn’t mean Pereira isn’t a well-rounded mixed martial artist. The former GLORY kickboxing champion is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, and as we learned on Tuesday, a better wrestler than one might think.
UFC 301 takes place this Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, and though Pereira isn’t competing, he’s still in attendance in Brazil for the card. On Tuesday, he ran into UFC commentator and two-time Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier during an event before the pay-per-view, leading to a fun wrestling exchange between the two where “Poatan” actually did quite well.
Flagrei essa cena entre Alex Poatan e Daniel Cormier nos bastidores do #UFCRio . Os dois começaram brincando de sparring até que o brasileiro colocou o americano pra baixo e teve até segurança pra separar Competitivo ou não o homem? pic.twitter.com/YXxduQgeYS
— Coutinho (@luis_coutinho) May 1, 2024
Pereira and Cormier wrestle around a bit with Cormier jokingly calling for security before Pereira eventually secures a takedown, at which point a UFC official ends the fun. Not bad for a kickboxer with a couple of broken toes.
But while everything was all in good fun, Cormier promised that this aggression from Pereira would not stand, warning him of upcoming retaliation.
“I’m an old guy now. I find ways to win,” Cormier said. “One eye poke, kick balls. I’m going to get your ass now. You better look [with eyes in the back of your head].”
UFC 301 takes place this Saturday and is headlined by a flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg.
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