Alex Pereira knocked out Jamahal Hill in the primary occasion of UFC 300 and instantly stated he was on board with a 21-day turnaround to headline UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. And he feels able to do it at heavyweight.
“Poatan” viciously stopped Hill in simply over three minutes Saturday evening in Las Vegas and revealed his plan throughout his in-cage interview with Joe Rogan. Talking with the media backstage later that evening, Pereira added it’s as much as the UFC to make it occur.
UFC 301 goes down Might 4 and is headlined by Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg for the flyweight championship, with Jose Aldo getting back from retirement to face Jonathan Martinez within the co-main occasion. Ought to Pereira be added to the cardboard, these names may very well be bumped down a spot on the marquee.
“I wish to struggle, in fact,” Pereira stated in Portuguese. “I’ve stated that I wish to struggle in Brazil however that’s not in my management. However I make it clear right here that I need that. Let’s see what occurs.”
Pereira grew to become the UFC middleweight champion and determined to maneuver up in weight after shedding an instantaneous rematch to Israel Adesanya, and now holds a 3-0 report at gentle heavyweight.
“I’m evolving loads and fairly shortly,” Pereira stated, “so I believe it’s time [to fight at heavyweight], and I can do it. It was one hundred pc my thought. I’ve the peak for that. And never solely that, my weight isn’t on level but however I’ve been gaining weight fairly quick with no further energy coaching. If I do some energy coaching, I’ll undoubtedly get there effectively.”
Pereira stated he gained’t name out any heavyweight for a possible conflict at UFC 301, leaving it to the promotion to decide on “whoever they really feel is finest” for the duty.
“You need to be challenged,” Pereira stated of his secret for greatness after conquering two belts in such a quick time period within the UFC. “Once we prepare for a struggle we all know there’s an excellent problem forward of us and I’m motivated by every little thing that’s occurring proper now. It makes me evolve and do my finest. That’s what motivates me.”
