Alex Pereira’s Busy Year and Upcoming Challenge
Alex Pereira, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, is gearing up for a significant test on March 8 at UFC 313, where he will face Magomed Ankalaev in the main event. Pereira had an incredible 2024, defending his title three times in high-profile bouts, and has quickly become one of the UFC’s most beloved fighters. His journey from kickboxing to mixed martial arts has been nothing short of remarkable, and his charismatic personality has only added to his appeal. However, not everyone is convinced that Pereira is fully focused on his upcoming fight. Analysts Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier have expressed concerns about Pereira’s recent travels and their potential impact on his preparation.
The Concerns of Analysts
Sonnen, a former UFC fighter and renowned analyst, voiced his worries on the Good Guy / Bad Guy podcast. He pointed out that Pereira’s frequent travels, whether for leisure or professional commitments, could be detrimental to his training regimen. "It’s concerning to me," Sonnen said. "The whole thing is very concerning. One of the reasons I loved Stipe Miocic as a fireman is Stipe was able to lock down, the UFC and everybody else respected that schedule so much that he slept in the same bed most times. He was eating the same food, training with the same people, having the same coaches. It’s tough on the road. You can get that training session in, but it usually involves a treadmill at the hotel lobby. Maybe you and your coach clear a little bit of space, even in your room, and you do a mitt workout. It’s not the same. Training is not the same." Sonnen’s concerns highlight the importance of a consistent and focused training environment, especially for a fighter preparing for a title defense.
Ankalaev’s Preparation
In contrast, Magomed Ankalaev has been laser-focused on his preparation. According to Cormier, Ankalaev has already traveled to Las Vegas, where he is training in anticipation of his second title opportunity. Ankalaev previously fought Jan Blachowicz for a vacant light heavyweight belt at UFC 282, but the result was a split draw. Cormier, who ran into Ankalaev at the Performance Institute (PI) last week, noted the challenger’s intense dedication. "I ran into him at the PI last week and he is honestly so locked in ready to win this fight against Alex Pereira," Cormier said. "The people, the oddsmakers that set the lines set it in Ankalaev’s favor, but the world, they can’t see Pereira losing because they’re so enamored with him." Cormier’s observations suggest that Ankalaev’s preparation and mindset could give him an edge over the more popular Pereira.
The Impact of Travel
Cormier further elaborated on the potential impact of Pereira’s travel on his performance. "I got back from Australia and all last week I’m up at 3:00 in the morning and I don’t care that Pereira’s got weeks to get ready, he’s going to be ready, he’s going to be prepared, but even those two to three extra days while he’s adjusting his clock to get back on schedule in Connecticut," he said. "And once he’s done in Connecticut, to fly to Vegas the week of the fight. Get adjusted to two more hours. He’s going to have to deal with all that travel and all that difference in time." The cumulative effect of travel, jet lag, and time zone adjustments can significantly affect a fighter’s performance, and Cormier believes these factors could play a crucial role in the outcome of the fight.
Ankalaev’s Strategy
Ankalaev is riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak and has shown versatility in his fighting style. While he is primarily known for his striking, he has also demonstrated strong wrestling skills, which he used to come back in the Blachowicz fight and salvage a draw. Sonnen believes that Ankalaev will stand and strike with Pereira, but he also sees the possibility of gamesmanship. "I tend to side with you that he’s going to say one thing in the media and pull a double cross in the ring, I also think he should do that," Sonnen said. "But as far as being a striker vs. a grappler, we’ve got to take these guys at their word, and Ankalaev says about himself, he says, ‘I’m a kickboxer.’ We’re forced to accept that." Ankalaev’s ability to adapt and potentially surprise Pereira with his wrestling could be a key factor in the fight.
The High Stakes and Predictions
Ankalaev has been making bold claims about his upcoming fight, including a tweet stating that Pereira "will never be the same" after their bout. He has also criticized Pereira for what he perceives as prioritizing socializing over training. Cormier sees a path to victory for both fighters but emphasizes the need for both to be at their best. "I believe that when he starts to take those kicks—because one of the biggest issues he had with Jan Blachowicz was dealing with the leg kicks—his legs got beat up so badly he couldn’t stand anymore, it looked like the fight was going to get stopped due to leg kicks," Cormier said. "We all know Pereira has tremendous leg kicking ability. We’re going to see that guy [Ankalaev] that fought round four and five against Blachowicz. Especially as they’re watching their video footage and seeing that Blachowicz was able to hold Pereira down for extended periods of time." Cormier’s analysis underscores the high stakes and the critical importance of both fighters’ preparation and strategy.
