Daniel Cormier says Glover Teixeira was instrumental in Alex Pereira becoming the new middleweight champion.
On Saturday, Pereira faced Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title in the main event of UFC 281, and through 20 minutes, things were not going great for the challenger. Though Pereira had his moments, he was nearly finished in the first round and was clearly down on the scorecards heading into the final round. Pereira’s corner told him as much and so, with five minutes left, “Poatan” came out with everything he had, clipping Adesanya midway through the final round and unloading a barrage of punches that caused referee Marc Goddard to intervene. Pereira won a remarkable comeback win and Cormier attributes it to Glover Teixeira, his coach.
” I think that the secret to Alex Pereira’s success was Glover Teixeira’s team telling him, very clearly, that he wanted five minutes. “You’ve got to put it all out there,” Cormier stated on his YouTube YouTube channel . “He went out there and threw caution to the wind. We don’t often see men press Adesanya so much because of the risk in his countering. Pereira realized tonight that he had to risk losing the fight if he did not take the chance. He got it done in round 5.
Pereira’s return to the fight has been mostly praised but not without controversy. Because Goddard stopped the fight while Adesanya was still on his feet, some, including Adesanya, protested the stoppage as too early. But Cormier isn’t having any of that.
“There are people guys, people in the know, who said, ‘I’m not sure I love the stoppage.’ Doesn’t matter. That was a great stoppage, because there’s nothing worse than being finished in a fight,” Cormier said. Your body and mind want you to grab him, slow him down, allow yourself to be able, but you have no control over what you do. You fail your body. You start flailing. It’s the first time we have ever seen Israel Adesanya holding his hand down while taking a shot. It would have only gotten worse. So I do love the stoppage. It was a just stoppage. It should have happened because it was only going to get worse. He hits way too hard. You don’t want to take unnecessary damage from Alex Pereira because he hits so hard.
“And also knowing you’re going to get an immediate rematch. It’s a pain to lose the belt. But the damage Adesanya could have done by simply being put to bed, and the lasting consequences, might be too much for him to overcome.
Pereira became the new middleweight world champion in his eighth professional MMA fight. This is a stunning feat that Cormier believes shows how great Teixeira, and his team are.
“Now Alex Pereira is the middleweight champion with only four fights in the UFC,” Cormier said. Next month, Glover Teixeira will be fighting for the title. And guys, there may even be two UFC champions at that small gym in Connecticut. That’s what tells you, it’s not about the big gym as much as it used to be. It’s about putting yourself in a situation where you can be successful, and that’s exactly what Glover and them are doing right now.”
TOP STORIES
Results. Alex Pereira and Weili Zhang became new champions at UFC 281.
Stoppage. Israel Adesanya: ‘I was fine’ when UFC 281 main event was stopped, ‘bring back Steve Mazzagatti.’
Rematch. Dana White on booking Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya in immediate rematch: ‘I wouldn’t rule it out.’
Beef. Dustin poirier refers to Michael Chandler as a “dirty momf *****'” for numerous fouls.
Altercation. Nate Diaz, Dillon Danis separated, bystander slapped in altercation outside MSG at UFC 281.
Interim. Yair Rodriguez vs. Josh Emmett set for interim featherweight title fight at UFC 284.
Boxing. John Fury tears off T-shirt. Tommy Fury is furious at Jake Paul’s incessant heckling of exhibition.
RIP. Two-time UFC title challenger Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson dead at 38.
VIDEO STEW
UFC 281 Post Show.
UFC 281 Post-Fight Press Conference.
UFC 282 trailer.
Floyd Mayweather’s absurd boxing show.
LISTEN UP
On To The Next One. Matches to make following UFC 281.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Condolences.
Saddened beyond words! @Anthony_Rumble was a man I was blessed to call my friend, 38, just devastating RIP Comrade! pic.twitter.com/i5FqKFVfp2
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) November 13, 2022
What an honor it was to have known this man. A grate example and inspiration for all around him! Rest in peace AJ. pic.twitter.com/1jRyiG5Nm4
— Vicente Luque (@VicenteLuqueMMA) November 13, 2022
Very sad day for all of us the MMA community, Great guy, one of the most dangerous fighter of history, Rest in Peace Champ pic.twitter.com/TImFpJcVrF
— Thiago “Marreta” Santos (@TMarretaMMA) November 13, 2022
RIP MY BROTHER we talked a couple of months ago wishing each other health and blessing. A true fighter fighter, and expert in ko. One of our most humble friends. Life is short so cherish yours and others. Until we meet again my brother pic.twitter.com/qrvbUe3dK3
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) November 14, 2022
I discovered one of the greatest talents in MMA history outta LA hitting mitts at a small hole in a wall Chute Box gym. As I was getting ready to fight, I approached him about training with me. He was bigger, he was stronger and he respected that I had a fight coming up.. pic.twitter.com/y3qpqbd9Rb
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) November 13, 2022
From that moment on we became the best of friends. We helped build a couple businesses together, we worked on several projects together to help build a future after fighting. Your character was real and it was obvious from the start. I’ll always love you, and will always consider you my man.
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) November 13, 2022
Tragic news about AJ. Just hearing about it now. It’s so sad.
— Jon Fitch (@jonfitchdotnet) November 14, 2022
Anthony always treated me with so much kindness and respect. RIP Rumble https://t.co/CQr4XcKY59
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) November 13, 2022
When he stole my 50k bonus at UFC 202 we used to joke about that all the time! https://t.co/oyky0iHQQn
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) November 14, 2022
The only reason I am fighting is tied to rumble. I came to AKA in 2015 to help push DC wrestling before his first title fight w Rumble. Was here a week and they convinced me to fight. Prayers to rumbles loved ones.
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) November 14, 2022
Sad day for the MMA world. Still setting in for me that we lost another really good person. RIP Anthony Johnson
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 14, 2022
Rumble in Peace, my friend.
Such a huge loss… pic.twitter.com/c7QY7BRNS1
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) November 14, 2022
Call out.
Strange but maybe true.
If bo nickal fought for title right now he would win that’s what’s funny about the “best in the world” stuff
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) November 14, 2022
These are the top athletes around, and you have to do it.
Who’s buying me a brew #PeoplesChamp #WeDidIt pic.twitter.com/RHLaDKHYYr
— Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) November 13, 2022
Left out.
Nonetheless it should be a good interimming
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) November 14, 2022
Beef.
Went to visit Mr. @Cody_Durden today at his gym.
Just as I suspected. Power bottom for sure. pic.twitter.com/B3l30x9oiL— Ode’ sbourne (@OdeOsbourne) November 14, 2022
Jake Paul.
YOU WONT YOU WONT YOU DIDNT YOU DIDNT YOU WONT YOU DIDNT YOU WONT YOU WONT YOU WONT
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 13, 2022
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading! See y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
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Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/11/14/23457605/daniel-cormier-credits-glover-teixeira-for-alex-pereira-comeback-win-at-ufc-281-the-key-was-glover?rand=96749