Brunno Ferreira's coach confident 'unpredictable' style will neutralize Aliskerov

Brunno Ferreira's coach believes his fighter's varied attack will be the difference when he faces Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Baku on Saturday.

Andre "Dida" Amado, head coach at TKO in Brazil, told Sherdog that Ferreira's unpredictability sets him apart from the Russian. "Ikram fights the same way since his Brave tenure," Amado said. "'Hulk' is more unpredictable and also has a good judo and jiu-jitsu game. He also has KO power. So he has all the tools to surprise and neutralize the Russian."

Ferreira and Aliskerov nearly fought last year

The matchup was originally scheduled for UFC 318 in July before Aliskerov withdrew with a foot injury six days out. Ferreira submitted replacement Jackson McKey in the opening round but still studied Aliskerov's tape extensively, according to his coach. The team arrived in Baku on Thursday to acclimate to the time zone ahead of fight week.

Amado also discussed Alex Pereira's loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC White House earlier this year. He had predicted the Brazilian would struggle without his reach advantage. "If it were not for that advantage, 'Blindado' would have hit him more when they fought," Amado said, referring to Bruno Silva's bout with Pereira. "I predicted that at heavyweight, where he lost his reach advantage, fighting a guy like Gane with long range that moves like a welterweight would give him problems."

The coach is also preparing Mauricio Rua for a boxing match against Glover Teixeira at Spaten Fight Night 3 in August. Rua trains daily at Amado's Curitiba academy and is motivated by the single-discipline format.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Coach: 'More unpredictable' Brunno Ferreira will neutralize Ikram Aliskerov