Alex Pereira Set To Learn English & Train With Sean Strickland Ahead Of UFC 291 Return
Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira is seeking counsel from a former adversary ahead of his light heavyweight move.
Pereira will face former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in the UFC 291 co-main event next month. He’ll make the move to 205lbs after falling to Israel Adesanya in their UFC 287 rematch.
Pereira’s move to 205lbs is a welcome addition to the light heavyweight title picture. A win over a top-tier contender like Blachowicz could be enough to earn himself a shot against the winner of the expected Jamahal Hill vs. Jiří Procházka fight.
In preparation for this next MMA venture, Pereira is bringing in Sean Strickland to his camp next week. The two will serve as training partners for a week and also help Pereira develop his English.
Strickland is a character in and out of the Octagon, at times for the wrong reasons. But, Pereira is looking forward to picking Strickland’s brain as he gets ready for his massive light heavyweight debut.
Alex Pereira Knocked Out Sean Strickland At UFC 276
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Pereira revealed his plans to collaborate with Strickland.
“Sean Strickland’s coming next week to train with me for my next fight,” Pereira said. “He’s coming to Connecticut…I’m going to learn English from Sean Strickland too… He’s a bit crazy, but a nice guy. He’s always treated me really respectfully so he’s always welcome here.”
Before the loss to Adesanya at UFC 287, Pereira defeated Adesanya at UFC 281 to earn the middleweight title. Just a few fights into his MMA career, he’s emerged as one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport.
Strickland, meanwhile, got back in the win column after consecutive losses to Pereira and Jared Cannonier last year. He defeated Nassourdine Imavov in a light heavyweight matchup in January on short notice.
Pereira knocked out Strickland at UFC 276 to earn a middleweight title shot. He’s also defeated the likes of Bruno Silva and Andreas Michailidis during his UFC tenure.
Strickland is scheduled to return against Abus Magomedov in a UFC Fight Night headliner on July 1.
Pereira and Strickland tag teaming should be an entertaining sight for MMA fans, and the two could bring the best out of each other in and out of the cage during their time in Connecticut.
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