Alex Pereira, the UFC light heavyweight champion, was in attendance at Scotiabank Arena, in Vancouver, Canada to be cage-side for UFC 297, headlined by Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. Strickland, a former victim during Pereira’s middleweight title run, trained with Pereira before he fought Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293.
Pereira does not have a fight lined up but is presumed to defend his title against either Jamahal Hill, the former champion, or Magomed Akalaev, the streaking contender next. Interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall expressed his interest in welcoming Pereira to the heavyweight division, but UFC CEO Dana White revealed he has other plans in mind for both champions.
Alex Pereira predicts Strickland vs Du Plessis winner
Alex Pereira picked Sean Strickland to defend the middleweight title at UFC 297 against Dricus Du Plessis. The Glory Kick-boxing Hall of Famer provided insights to Strickland before he fought Israel Adesanya that the American used to full effect in his fight against the Kiwi.
“Sean Strickland, a guy I’m close with, I’m rooting for him”, said Pereira of his main event prediction.
During the pre-fight press conference, both Strickland and Du Plessis were asked if they had any ambitions to fight for Pereira’s light heavyweight title to which Du Plessis expressed his interest. On the other hand, Strickland was noncommittal about his ambitions possibly due to his friendship with the Brazilian two-division champion.
Pereira’s pick of Strickland winning aligns with the betting odds with the oddsmakers as they put Strickland as a slight betting favorite against Dricus Du Plessis. Pereira was among the very few who picked Strickland to defeat Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 when the American was a huge betting underdog.
Pereira made statements during an interview recently about his ex-girlfriend Merle which incited responses from her. The public accusations of the former couple were the talk of the town on social media with fans picking sides.
Alex Pereira show support to Brazilian fighter at UFC 297
Mayra Bueno Silva and Raquel Pennington lock horns inside the co-main event of UFC 297 for the vacant women’s bantamweight title. Bueno Silva, undefeated in the bantamweight division has a tough task ahead in the form of former title challenger Raquel Pennington. Nonetheless, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira picks Bueno Silva to take the belt home to Brazil.
“Sheetara, I’m rooting for her. Always rooting for Brazil”, said Pereira of his official fight prediction for the co-main event of UFC 297.
Pereira, an indigenous Brazilian, always holds his roots close to his heart, and his nickname ‘Poatan’ translates to ‘Stone Hands’ in the indigenous Brazilian language. By picking Bueno Silva, Pereira has picked the favorites to prevail in both the main and co-main event.
Bueno Silva and Pennington have been at odds ever since the title fight was scheduled by the UFC. Pennington is not as vocal as Bueno Silva who has stated multiple times that her victory over Pennington is a foregone conclusion. Nonetheless, Pennington has predicted that her fighting will do the talking and thinks that Bueno Silva is confused.
Former champion Juliana Pena was expected to contend for the title against Pennington after Amanda Nunes retired at UFC 289 with a decision win over Irene Aldana. After Ronda Rousey’s reign, the bantamweight division did not have a long-reigning champion before Nunes. Now, after Nunes, there are no favorites to keep the belt for long.
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