Alex Pereira was like most of us watching the UFC 276 main event: disappointed.
Saturday’s headliner saw Israel Adesanya successfully defend his middleweight title once again with a clear-cut, but critically panned unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier. Pereira, on the other hand, lit up Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena with an impressive knockout of Sean Strickland.
Following the main event, Adesanya called for a fight with Pereira, his former kickboxing rival, and Pereira promises that their championship bout will be much more crowd-pleasing.
“He did his part, but it was a fight that not only didn’t excite me but it also did not excite the crowd,” Pereira said via a Portuguese translator at the evening’s post-fight press conference when asked to comment on the main event. He did a terrible job. I was sad. But for sure, I’m going to make him fight to give a better show to the crowd.”
When it comes to MMA, Pereira’s experience is limited, though he is now 3-0 in the UFC and two of those wins have come by way of knockout. Pereira is a star in the world of kickboxing, having won titles in two divisions for the Glory promotion and beaten Adesanya twice.
Eversince Pereira’s UFC debut in November 2021,, many believed it was to set up a third bout with Adesanya. “Poatan” is now prepared to sign on for that opportunity as soon as possible.
“Whenever he’s ready, I just finished my fight, I’m fine,” Pereira said. So I could begin training tomorrow. It will take me two weeks to relax and enjoy life. But, when he feels ready, I’m ready .”
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Pereira is aware that there will still be doubters of his contender viability given his lack of MMA fights, but he feels strongly that he made enough of a statement at UFC 276 to win over the fan base.
” A lot of people, particularly fighters, think that they can beat me so it is good to show them because it is what they want,” Pereira stated. People want to see knockouts. People want to see the style that I fight. People would like to see me knock out the person in front of them .”
