Alex Pereira picks Sean Strickland over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328
Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira is backing Sean Strickland to upset Khamzat Chimaev when the two collide for the middleweight title Saturday at UFC 328 in Newark.
Pereira, who knocked out Strickland in the first round at UFC 276 in 2022, has since become a training partner and cornerman for the challenger. The Brazilian told cameras during a UFC 328 Countdown segment that Strickland must lean on his jab and front kick to neutralize Chimaev’s wrestling, according to Sherdog. “He’s got to stay composed, keep pressing forward, stay alert, watch out for the takedowns, and use his jab and front kick,” Pereira said. “I’m really excited and motivated for this fight, and I hope he gets the win.”
How Pereira and Strickland became allies
The unlikely friendship formed after their lopsided fight in 2022, with Pereira crediting Strickland’s cage presence and experience. “Before our fight, I saw him differently,” Pereira admitted. “But once he stepped into the Octagon, you could see it on his face, he was a different guy. He is a warrior.” The two trained together following that bout, and Pereira said he learned enough from those sessions that he now works Strickland’s corner.
Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier will call the main card Saturday night, with Megan Olivi reporting from the arena, per MMA Fighting. UFC officials confirmed the broadcast assignments Tuesday. Cormier will also work the desk on Friday alongside Chris Weidman and Dustin Poirier, while Laura Sanko joins Weidman and Poirier as analyst on fight night.
Strickland and Chimaev trained together at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas years ago, adding another layer to Saturday’s main event. Pereira, who moved up to heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight after losing the middleweight belt to Israel Adesanya in a rematch, has since won that title and defended it three times. He faces Ciryl Gane at heavyweight on June 14, closing the door on any potential rematch with Strickland. The UFC 328 main card begins at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
Photo: Chamatkar Sandhu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Original reporting:
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