UFC 295: Madison Square Garden; New York City
Let’s not make any mistakes here. The UFC’s ninth two-division champion is a dangerous man. But if we are being honest there was a circumstance here. Nonetheless, the guy is back atop a division. Alex Pereira in just eleven mma fights is proving to be even better than what was expected.
In coming over from GLORY Kickboxing, the power was there. And as a simutanous two-division champion there, there were some questions how he’d handle the transition to mma. Well, after finishing Jiri Prochazka (albeit a tad early) at 4:08 of round-two, he showed yet again, he’s not just a one-trick pony.
Yes, the dynamite in his hands is his go to weapon. But he’s slowly growing an mma arsenal. The well executed low kicking game played a key factor in him grabbing the undisputed (and vacant) light heavyweight title. And yet again he showed he does in fact have a chin. However, something that should be taken into account is this was Prochazka’s first-fight in 30-months. And although he through crisp strikes, there had to be some amount of cage rust.
Pereira started chopping away at the Czech’s lead leg right off the bat, and compromised it. Ever the warrior Prochazka showed no signs of quit. He made it a dirty fight in close. But it also showed the chin of “Poatan” is not suspect; but is above average. Add in he’s no longer sucking down to 185. With Prochazka pressuring a well timed counter right, and left hook by Pereira put Prochazka down to his knees, and a flurry of elbows had referee MARC GODDARD jump in.
The Guy Is Back To Being Called Champ… For How Long
It’s all but done that the injured other former champion, Jamahal Hill will be next up. And it’s also hard to imagine that he could take the strap off of Pereira. He’s not a stiff on the ground, his chin is there, and his offensive arsenal is growing. And everything he throws has bad intentions to it.
It’s also highly unlikely that his callout of Israel Adesanya will come to fruition. But at the age of 36, the clock will start ticking soon on how long his reign at 205 will be. But as it sits right now, if they ran this fight back, or had them scrap in a best of seven-series; the belt might become a hot potato. They’re the best two in the division.
That’s not to say Pereira can’t be beat. He can. It’s just noone yet has truly figured out the riddle successfully outside of Adesanya and his sniper skills. Pereira’s big hole is defensively when pressured he goes straight back, rather than circle away from a blitzing opponent.
Read the newest sports news at: Belly Up Sports. For all things CYCLONE, go to: Facebook.
