Alex Pereira sharpening wrestling even more for Ankalaev 2

[Bwagster]

Ppl don't realize that he didn't throw precisely because of wrestling... The threat of TDs can change strikers. But seeing how he could stuff every takedown, I think he'll be more confident to throw. As he was in round 5 which he won... He saw he could stop TDs and landed the biggest strikes there, making Ank retreat for most of the round.

This!

 

[chutebox4lyfe]

Riiiighhtt.Alex got murked because he wanted to.

He got murked?

 

[ComeChooDaddy]

Wasn’t he injured in the first fight?

 

[piropiro]

1) he wasn't throwing volume or with bad intentions because of the takedown threat

2) he also wasn't throwing because of some health issue, apparently a serious illness or injury in camp which was mentioned repeatedly but never specified (at least I didn't hear the exact nature of it)

Hopefully in the rematch he'll be back to his usual violent ways and have a real fight, then win or lose is a different matter (Ank could be his kryptonite, who knows, we'll see).

 

[JustBleed69]

His biggest problem was that he got frozen by the movementz of Ank in that fight. He needs to be more aggressive in setting his traps and pulling the trigger on his strikes in this fight.

 

[KO Shotz]

I see it this time as another tough fight but like round 5 was turning to Alex, this time, specially with Alex being healthier and 100% , a reversal... A 3-2 or 4-1 Alex. Pretty confident.

I think this as well. Poatan stuffed TDs against Ank but where Ank beat him was standing. He tagged Alex multiple times & had him back peddling the entire fight. Something was going on with Pereira because he did not look like the guy we were all use to seeing, rather that being because he was injured or father time catching up. Nevertheless this rematch will show if Ank is the real deal or not. Both guys have something to prove in the rematch. Alex has to show he still has it & Ank needs to show the first fight wasn't a fluke.

 

[AMAZINGUFC]

Alex Pereira sharpening wrestling even more for Ankalaev 2​

Then he gets knocked out

 

[Luffy]

we all saw what jan did to him
that was the first lesson he should have learned

well hes like 38 and still sharpening
kinda like k1 matt hughes
i doubt it

What are you saying? He is also known as The one, The Only because when 100% , Alex Pereira is as good as Jon Jones. It's rare for JJ to let ppl use the one, the only. Let alone the UFC. They do that because he's just like Jon Jones now, same level in MMA

 

[Luffy]

But I think the very likely scenario for the second round will be what most here will call a "boring" fight. I just think Alex will be better, because 1) he has had 14 MMA fights, which means way bigger longevity than someone who has had 30 MMA fights. That's why Glover, who was a kickboxer and a striker and came to mma more lately could be very competitive and even improve at 42 yo, defeating Jan Blackowski and being 30 seconds away from getting a UD over Jiri Prochazka... Chael and DC noted how unique it was that Glover at 40 was better in MMA than the Glover from 5 ~ 7 years ago. And Glover said Alex is more talented than him in all aspects and says Pereira is objectively getting better, which he expects he can be high level and at the top up to 40+ yo... So Alex, when healthier and having tested Anakalaev's TD threat will be better and more incisive... Hence why I'm confident that this time, he sneaks a 3-2. His coach Plinio projected a hard fight but said "this time it's definitely Alex Pereira getting his belt back. Whether we do a trilogy or go to HW it's up to be decided". So I think this time Alex gets it...

... But with another close, 3-2 fight. Mighty Mouse also gave his input that he would expect Alex to be slightly ahead in another tough fight, but this time with Alex Pereira turning the optics. He said though it can never be an easy win vs Ankalaev, that he thinks Alex wins but in another hard 5 rounds fight. And that's what you will generally get with Alex vs Ankalaev. A 5 round chess match, let's say out of 10 fights, each wins 5 lol... Their styles are elite and they have a so high-level MMA fighting IQ and that real one punch power (Ankalaev's striking power is hugely underrate even though he's one of the heaviest hitters from UFC. He hits harder than most HWs for sure, he scored very very high, I think ~ Ngannou in the punching machine at least). But they are elite MMA fighters with real power that don't go head hunting because they're so good that they don't bite into each other's feints. That's why rewatching the fight, many times Ankalaev and Pereira would nod Tom each other acknowledging a smart stance switch, smart exit. It's a fight between heavy hitters like HW real power but with an IQ of a JJ... If they face fighters who haven't this elite high level MMA IQ and athleticism, they'd KO them easily. But since they're evenly matched and know each other's ability to shut the lights out, it's that chess match and we will likely see that and if they do a trilogy, we'd likely see 10 more rounds.

It ain't boring tho for ppl who like high level MMA instead of blood falling and domination, which happens when they fight other fighters who are simply not as skilled as them. Both fighters are improved LHWs showcasing the elite level we have seen in LHW in the last with the best LHW fighter, though in this case both being heavy hitters... High level hand fighting, calf kick counters, frame control, fence position fighting... Elite striking and well rounded MMA = fewer giant moments, especially when neither are on PEDs (as they don't need them, since both live for training mostly, are obsessed in training heavily)... High precision from both = precision denial, so adjustment fights are hard to "see" as that exciting but I like this elite level for tracking outside-foot race (southpaw vs orthodox), like, who wins the angle more often? How were the leg attrition, did a check immediately lead to a counter low kick? Did the stance narrow or the bouncy fade after? If not, what did they do to prevent it? How did each if them deny the others' offense? Frames, under hooks, mat-return prevention? That's a fight between two current specialists who are removing each other's weapons as they know each of them can shut the other lights out with a single mistake... So it's a quiet but to me, a highly skilled and elite, absolutely elite showcase of MMA skills...

 

[kuroro]

This video is cut but it was originally a 10x session of boxing with Glover and suddenly stopping the takedown. The guy trying the takedown was instructed to wrestle whenever he saw an opining when Poatan was boxing, so Pereira can feel totally secure in not being taken down

Before it, he was wrestling in the sands with a professional Senegalese wrestler, tho it was originally a heavy 20 minutes wrestling, they cut it a lot

the only issue is... Ankalaev outstruck him

 

[Luffy]

the only issue is... Ankalaev outstruck him

He did not. He only did so in the 2nd round. Reread the stats. Alex outstruck him in rounds 1, 3 and 5. Ankalaev only outstruck him in round 2 and 4 (which was 4 minutes a grappling / wrestling fight). In an open, to the distance fight, not counting strikes in the clinch like knee to the tights, Alex officially outstruck him except in round 2. So that's objectively false

 

[kuroro]

He did not. He only did so in the 2nd round. Reread the stats. Alex outstruck him in rounds 1, 3 and 5. Ankalaev only outstruck him in round 2 and 4 (which was 4 minutes a grappling / wrestling fight). In an open, to the distance fight, not counting strikes in the clinch like knee to the tights, Alex officially outstruck him except in round 2. So that's objectively false

I think you need help on how to interpret fight stats:

38 more head and body strikes > 20 more leg kicks.

 

[Luffy]

I think you need help on how to interpret fight stats:
View attachment 1107864
38 more head and body strikes > 20 more leg kicks.

Many of those head strikes were counted in that round 4 which weren't significant strikes to the head. They were punches that grazed Alex's head in the clinch, which the stats count as head strikes... They weren't anything significant though. Ankalaev had barely any posture to throw heavy strikes and landed glancing strikes to the head on round 4 which was an area control won round, not heavy damage or dominant round. So no, in the distance, Ankalaev only out-struck Alex in round 2. Round 1, they had the same # strikes to the body and Ank only landed a small jab to the head. So Alex out-struck him. Round 2 Ankalaev outs-truck Alex, but the optics looked big mainly due to the last 5 seconds left hand. It was still an overall moderately close standing battle with Ankalaev getting an edge and the a decisive edge in the end.

Round 3, Alex out-struck him (21-16)... Head was basically the same (5 for Ankalaev and 4 for Alex) and body basically the same too (6 Ank, 5 Alex)... So leg kicks add to the striking. They are damaging and visually seen as impactful as Ankalaev would limp sometimes retreating, with small jumps due to leg pain, clinch after a leg kick.

Round 4, it was ~4 minutes clinch. Many of those head strikes came in there when they were strikes that didn't hit with impact, more like taps to the head.

Round 5, Alex was ahead 13 vs 10 (same amount of strike to the head, each landed 7, Alex landed more to the jab and leg), though Ankalaev pulled ahead on strikes with knees to the tight on the clinch, which weren't impactful as Alex elbowed back, in fact his last elbow in the clinch gave Ankalaev a small eye cut.

So, again, in the distance, in the striking (not wrestling), Alex Pereira out-struck Ankalaev. Facts. Ankalaev won because he out-wrestled Alex, I,e , kept him in the fence. That's a component of wrestling, even if he was mostly keeping on the fence, he won by area control, not by TDs... In striking, in the distance, Alex won (objective... He landed more in all rounds except the 2nd in the distance), and in the grappling, Ankalaev won (controlled area and racked up some scores for knees to the tight)... Again, it's false, Alex outstriked him except for round 2. Ank won because he out-wrestled Alex. Simple as that.

 

[Luffy]

And although Ankalaev won, it was 48-47 and razor thin close. Alex won round 1. Not dominant but solid. Ank won round 2, not that big dominance but a solid optics, the most dominant round yet not even near a 10-8 (not even near the level of dominance he had in rounds 4 and 5 vs Jan for instance). Ank won round 4, not dominant, mostly area control... Rounds 3 and 5 were swing rounds. Ank edged round 3 for slightly higher impact, Alex edged round 5 for slightly higher impact. So Ankalaev won based off a close round 3 (a round he deserved the win, but was like, 10-9.7 close)...

It was by no means a dominant win. Ankalaev edged Alex in a razor thin 48-47. Ppl who describe the fight as "dominant" or "murked" haven't watched it (which is on YouTube btw). Or they watched another fight. It was a chess match, razor thin fight, like a slight 100-97 win... Like any close fight you have, such as JJ vs Reyes, JJ vs Gus 1. The difference is that this one was very calculated by both fighters... They are chess players, not explosive fighters. Against fighters who are explosive, both Ank and Pereira beats the fuck outta them...

 

[markantony20]

Bro how do you explain the most violent dude in the UFC not throwing 1 punch for 25 min against a dude that poses no threat at all? Of course i dont think he « wanted » to lose. But seeing him the happiest he’s ever looked after the fight and fighting in that never seen before way was fishy af. Sth was going on…

Ank has won lots of his fights by KO so i don’t think he’s not a threat

 

[Ladron4sherdog]

I think you need help on how to interpret fight stats:
View attachment 1107864
38 more head and body strikes > 20 more leg kicks.

The biggest one was the strike that completely wobbled Alex and had him desperately trying to grab a hold of Ank to stop himself from getting knocked out.

Ank is a big danger to Alex on the feet.

 

[Chagaev]

I don't know why people expected Alex to take chances and go balls to the wall. To me it seems that he wins by cumulative damage and by setting traps mostly.

Ank is not a great fighter, but he has a bigger frame than Bruno and Izzy, is younger and faster than Jan and didn't play a low IQ game like Alex last opponents.

It's not like this is Alex first time looking human and he's an aging fighter.

 

[hbombbisping]

Favor Ank slightly because he won the first fight but Alex absolutely has the blueprint and a path to win this fight.

 

[Luffy]

The biggest one was the strike that completely wobbled Alex and had him desperately trying to grab a hold of Ank to stop himself from getting knocked out.

Ank is a big danger to Alex on the feet.

Well, that was the biggest moment of the fight, but it was only that one for Ank. Ankalaev hadn't a clear wobble or moment besides that one. In round 3, Alex out-struck him and in round 5 Alex landed a high kick, 3 jabs to the head and to the body and another high kick that made Ankalaev desperately clinch in the last minute. Ank wasn't even trying to take him down in the clinch, he was more just hanging into Alex and waiting the clock run out. His coaches knew the fight was close, as they didn't know who won round 3 (it was close)... You can see his head coach screaming for Ank to punch while clinching, though Ankalaev was tired AF and hurt too, so he was just stalling in the last clinch, instead of seeking anything. On the feet, Alex proved to be better, otherwise Ankalaev wouldn't have tried 12 TDs and tried to chain wrestle for 4 minutes of round 4 lol. He obviously needed to wrestle and clinch for long minutes, because he can't keep up with Alex in striking alone.

Round 5, Alex was backing Ankalaev down and winning, as Alex grew confident when seeing his TDD was good enough (to the point he got the sole takedown of the fight instead — last round 4 second tripped Ank to the mat)... So Ank was mostly on retreat and getting the worst of the exchanges, needing to shoot 3x for a TD and then just stall clinch in the last minute... because he was worked too. It's visible the head kick + left jab folded Ank's stance. Heck, when Alex landed a glancing left hook to the liver after the TD feint –> uppercut from Ank failed, Ankalaev was on wobbly legs for a bit (his stance was shaky)... Pereira saw that and landed a left cross that snapped Ank's head, then a jab when Ank planted his feet in followed by another high kick that was blocked, but the impact made Ank go straight to the stalling clinch. He was even satisfied with mounting on Alex back and leaning his face on Pereira to stall time, as Ankalaev was wasted. He wasn't even that confident he won the fight. Generally he always raises his arms smiling, being sure he won in decisions, like vs Jan or vs Rakic. This time, when the scorecard was being announced, Ankalaev was nervous and looking kinda "could go either way"... He knew it was very close and wasn't that confident he had won for sure, he was like "it's me, please"... So much so that when they said his name, he was even emotional, because although he was indeed slightly better, it was a very close fight still...


I think in the rematch, like in round 5, Alex gets the win. Much like Ankalaev got a 48-47, now with Alex building confidence from his TDD, plus his confidence and his own coaches confidence that Alex improved and learned a lot from this fight to make the tiny bit but effective adjustments to turn the tides, and Alex himself saying the same "I'm going to get the belt back, for sure!" while training obsessively since then (so much so he's even . in better shape than normally) ... Coupled with a better stamina from a heathier physique and shape, no illness — I think Alex turns the tides this time, getting a close but sure win... But I'd like that even winning, he goes to HW after it, if he can fight JJ. I believe both want it, and Alex would fight Tom 100% if that means fighting JJ. I think he beats Tom, and him vs JJ is another 50/50 IMO, like vs Ankalaev. It's a fight I wouldn't quite wish so much because I don't want either of them to lose, but... I think it's the biggest fight in the UFC honestly. Well, but let's see, either JJ or Alex will fight Tom, let's see if whoever faces Tom after Gane (I think Tom wins easily), can beat him. I think either of them beats Tom, like a 4-1 UD contest... That's a fight I just wish it happens. I wish it ends up being JJ tho, he can win vs Tom, and this duck narrative is just the fakest thing ever lol. The UFC just wants to maximize the timing by having Tom face Gane next, as they saw the fight wasn't big enough yet and the timing with the ESPN wasn't ideal... I think it'll be JJ vs Tom much likely, and I wish it is, because it would be a nice moment to bury this fake narrative that was built just for $.

I may be totally off ofc but I really believe Ank, Alex and JJ are a step above Tom. That's why I wish Alex went to HW already and faced someone there if Tom vs Gane is still the fight to set JJ vs Tom, instead of making a rematch vs Ankalaev. Ankalaev doesn't need the rematch against Alex Pereira. Even moreso because if he loses and Alex goes up, Alex would be holding two belts, which isn't good for a division. Plus, Ank would want a trilogy... Jiri Prochazka is red hot to fight Ankalaev ffs. Alex Pereira passed the torch. Ankalaev was kinda of a weirdo to obsess over the rematch and say Alex was ducking him weeks ago, when Alex Pereira was calling out Tom in HW. I understand that Pereira may be the fight that Ankalaev, as a competitor, wants the most, to show his skills, but... What does he see on Alex to mention him so much? It's still weird as hell. I think everyone kinda wants to fight Pereira tho, except Tom who said "I think he should rematch Ankalaev, Ank deserves respect for being a champion who ran through the division". Ank was even like "Thanks, Tom!" Lol. But what respect? Ankalaev already has the belt. In fact, Ankalaev even said "Alex wants to fight me on Ramadan again, next year"... Which may be him setting a trilogy in case Alex wins this time. No, please not 10 more rounds of them fighting lol while it's an elite fight, ppl find non violent fights boring (not me tho), but that ends up taking the hype when the simplistic boring fight narrative takes place...

 

[Hitdepruns]

He lost striking in the first match. Supporting Pereira big time, but he looked uncomfortable striking.