Anthony Smith on Alex Pereira: "He can fight Israel's exact game"

[KOPPE]

"I think the guy that's probably got the best chance, and this is going to be a crazy statement. He's in the UFC but he's not ranked, and that's Alex Pereira. This kid's good. The problem with Alex is he's going to have a tough time getting to Israel... I'm not putting a whole lot of weight into him knocking out Israel in another organization, in another sport. He's a guy that can fight Israel at his exact game."

https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-anthony-smith-israel-adesanya-s-biggest-potential-threat-ufc

 

[Luthien]

Super excited for this fight to happen

 

[Luvhawky]

He should volunteer to be the backup for every title fight...

 

[Oscar Madison]

Another Choo-choo train for Sherdawgs to chase — leaves the station.

Anthony Smith is already onboard sipping the Kool-Aid.

 

[JustOnce]

"I think the guy that's probably got the best chance, and this is going to be a crazy statement. He's in the UFC but he's not ranked, and that's Alex Pereira. This kid's good. The problem with Alex is he's going to have a tough time getting to Israel... I'm not putting a whole lot of weight into him knocking out Israel in another organization, in another sport. He's a guy that can fight Israel at his exact game."

https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-anthony-smith-israel-adesanya-s-biggest-potential-threat-ufc

Anthony Smith making another crazy statement "sky is blue"

I don't know why some fighters say some obvious shit and act like it's some outlandish shit they are saying.

 

[Johnnny]

Bareman would almost certainly make sure that Adesanya takes the fight to the ground.

 

[Migdagen]

This is not kickboxing. This guy need to earn his shot.

 

[Luvhawky]

This is not kickboxing. This guy need to earn his shot.

To be fair, MMA has a history of giving title shots to people who don't deserve it.

 

[Cowboy Kurt Angle]

Am I the only one that thinks Alex won’t fight Izzy again like I don’t see him getting far enough

 

[ineverpost]

this guy was challenged by the grappling of a UFC noob.

 

[ineverpost]

Am I the only one that thinks Alex won’t fight Izzy again like I don’t see him getting far enough

Unless he's some sort of prodigy he's going to have problems with any competent grappler who closes the distance.

 

[KOPPE]

Anthony Smith making another crazy statement "sky is blue"

I don't know why some fighters say some obvious shit and act like it's some outlandish shit they are saying.

Lots of fans even izzy haters think Alex has no chance at all.

 

[Wizzlebiz]

The guy is a a great striker. Who is to say he doesn't do exactly what izzy did and just have good td defense and great ability to get back to the feet.

It's possible. Not probable but still there.

 

[Bwagster]

He's a great match-up for Izzy but he has a lot of work to do.

 

[Dorkman]

Unless they give Alex a real short favorable path to the belt think it's unlikely he gets there without a loss. And a loss at his age with his short experience will definitely be a big set back and make me wonder if he makes it at all. I'd like to be wrong as it's a real interesting stand up match. But not holding my breath

 

[Jorge Luis Borges]

Adesanya by lay and pray.

 

[Don't Call Me A Casual]

Super excited for this fight to happen

your pic is dope af

 

[LATEXXX COMMANDO]

The funny thing is when Izzy lost to Alex, that was before he had his ridiculous transformation into what he is today. Not long after is when he went to Glory and started killing everyone.

If he can get there, he beats Izzy

 

[IMPmmath]

What's the easiest 2 fight path he can get to a title shot? One guy ranked in 6-10 and another 1-5?

 

[DjolexMTL]

I might be crazy, but I could see Pereira beating Izzy if they keep it standing, as I would expect them to do.

However, as Smith says, getting to the belt will be much harder. Some top10 guys should have enough wrestling to derail him (Marvin, Whitaker, Brunson if he doesn't get KO'ed to Saturn).

If I'm the UFC, I'm giving Pereira favorable matchups to the belt. This is easily the most interesting stylistic matchup for Izzy