Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has some strong opinions about Alex Pereira’s potential return to the 185-pound division. The outspoken fighter recently shared his thoughts on the matter, warning Pereira of the dangers of cutting back down to middleweight.
Strickland’s comments come amid speculation surrounding Pereira’s future weight class. He believes such a move would be ill-advised for Pereira. Drawing from his own experiences and observations, the American fighter paints a vivid picture of the challenges involved.
“I walked in to say hi to him and he just looked like fu**ing death, like, to the point where I’m like, ‘man, this ain’t good for you, dude, like, go up…Alex [Pereira’s] big a** ain’t going back down to 185 [pounds], dude. As a welterweight that moved up to 185 [pounds], once you get used to that weight class, that thought of going back down sounds miserable,” said Strickland, talking to ESPN MMA.
The Brazilian fighter, who currently holds the light heavyweight title, had hinted at a possible return to middleweight. Dricus du Plessis’ victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 sparked this potential move.
This colorful description by Sean Strickland highlights the physical toll that extreme weight cuts can take on fighters. Despite his typically brash demeanor, Strickland’s concern for Pereira’s well-being shines through. His comments shed light on a rarely discussed aspect of combat sports – the grueling weight cuts. These behind-the-scenes struggles often go unnoticed by fans.
Sean Strickland Talks About The Devastating Power Of Alex Pereira
Stickland, never one to mince words, recently shared his candid thoughts on facing Alex Pereira in the octagon. The former champion’s assessment of Pereira’s power was brutally honest, a thing that is rarely seen in the combat sports world.
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‘Tarzan‘ vividly portrayed the challenges involved in squaring off against the Brazilian knockout artist. The American fighter went on to explain the stark reality of Pereira’s punching power. He noted that even if given a free shot, he doubts he could knock out the current light heavyweight champion.
“I’m not scared of Alex, but my chin… I’ll just go to sleep it’s a weird thing… For me to knock Alex out he has to do something really stupid… if you gave me one free shot and you said give everything you can, I’m not knocking him out…But you do that to Alex, everybody on the roster’s going to sleep,” said Strickland when talking to Plinio Cruz.
Strickland’s comments offer a rare glimpse into the mindset of a top-tier fighter facing a formidable opponent. His honesty is refreshing in a sport often dominated by bravado and trash talk. The former middleweight champ’s words also shed light on the strategic challenges of facing Pereira. How does one prepare for an opponent with such devastating power?
Also Read: Sean Strickland Adamant That His Rematch Against Dricus Du Plessis Will Happen In America
