Media Alex Pereira to Daniel Cormier: "Don't worry" in response to criticism of his training ahead of Anakalev fight

[10000yearsold]

Alex has really been focusing on his grappling, and the guy in the video is a 4 time Olympian from Dagestan in both wrestling and judo. It wouldn't surprise me at this point if Alex had the best grappling in the 205 division and LNPs Ank 50-45 to make a point.

That is something that should absolutely surprise you. A pedigree kickboxer becoming a better grappler than pedigree grapplers is absolutely unheard of and has never happened. Becoming an effective defensive grappler in avoiding takedowns and submissions, that’s entirely different matter but no one is expecting Perriera to suddenly start seeking takedowns.

 

[AndrewGolota48]

That is something that should absolutely surprise you. A pedigree kickboxer becoming a better grappler than pedigree grapplers is absolutely unheard of and has never happened. Becoming an effective defensive grappler in avoiding takedowns and submissions, that’s entirely different matter but no one is expecting Perriera to suddenly start seeking takedowns.

For a while it looked like Wonderboy was doing that, when he suplexed Ellenberger on his head, but it didn't last.

Edit: wow I just watched a clip and the suplex was nothing like I remembered it . It wasn't even really a suplex, I think at the time I was so shocked to see Wonderboy dominating the grappling that in my mind with enough time I remembered it as being like Rory vs Nate.

 

[mkess101]

That is something that should absolutely surprise you. A pedigree kickboxer becoming a better grappler than pedigree grapplers is absolutely unheard of and has never happened. Becoming an effective defensive grappler in avoiding takedowns and submissions, that’s entirely different matter but no one is expecting Perriera to suddenly start seeking takedowns.

"Very rarely", but not "never" in terms of it happening.

I suppose you could debate the "pedigree" part in terms of GSP's kickboxing background, but that's what he came up as. A Kyukoshin karate guy. He made himself into the most dominant WW grappler in the sport and outwrestled guys with big time wrestling pedigrees.

 

[Sean Chowdhury]

that clip doesn't inspire confidence lol

 

[linvillegorge]

I mean, DC is acting like this guy hasn't been a champion level combat sports competitor for decades. Pereira knows what he's doing. He's going to come prepared to fight like he always does.

 

[jimmy dakine]

Takedown defense training from a clinch is one thing, but takedown defense from a 3 punch combo is a completely different animal.

 

[Fight Professor]

Did he ever make excuses for his loss to Israel?

Why would he? It is obvious Alex wins 4 out of 5 against Izzy.

 

[PeterGriffin]

And that's the difference between DC-the-athlete versus Alex-the-fighter. A fighter takes a loss and walks it off. An athlete re-lives the loss for the rest of his life.

Alex and DC will never be of the same mentality.

 

[Streeter]

If Pereria fights his fight he gets a KO in later rds . If he fights scared of TD he is 50/50 .

Ank is going to take him down first 30 seconds n he will have Ank on him likely 4 min. rd 1. He needs to just know it an instead it n work on ways to avoid big shots or subs from bottom. However 4 min of that will say Anks gas tank being how strong Pereria is . Once Ank tired in rd 2 he starts throwing his looping rights. In which Pereria counters with his best weapon his left Hook of doom.

Pereria just can't fight afraid of gettibg taken down n he's got this in a rather easy fight after 1st.

 

[KO Shotz]

This is a very dangerous fight for Poatan. I like Pereira alot & know he's legitimate, but Ank is very well rounded. The Poatan fan boys think this is a lock, but it might not be.

 

[JKS]

What I think were gonna see is Ankalaev not do so well with his wrestling, some people are expecting that to be his best shot and Alex's weakness. But I think we'll see Ankalaev do much better in the striking, more so than people think. Most are assuming Alex has a major advantage here, I don't think it's as big as people think.

 

[JKS]

This is a very dangerous fight for Poatan. I like Pereira alot & know he's legitimate, but Ank is very well rounded. The Poatan fan boys think this is a lock, but it might not be.

I am big Perreira fan. To be honest, I am more concerned with Ankalaevs boxing, his speed and precision more than his wrestling.

 

[PaddyO'malley]

Bro learned El Perro's KO cancel technique too fam Uncle Ivan cooked

 

[GordoBarraBJJ]

I was worried about this as well.

Should have postponed the austrailia stuff till after his fight, IMO.

Then again he took the jiri fight on a few weeks notices while on vacation/PR in austraila and wiped jiri out with ease. No one else in the division could have done what he did to jiri on short notice.

It's mma and so unpredictable that it will probably be Alex by Peruvian Neck Tie or Ank via left hook KO.

 

[GordoBarraBJJ]

If ank have good boxing/hands then I really feel like Alex should (have brought) bring in Fernly Jr to spar with.

 

[FreedomCricket]

I think Ankalaev tries to stand and bang with Pereira and only wrestles when he gets tagged and tries to panic wrestle.

 

[Bradillac]

Alex’s grappling skills are super underrated, plus he’s just going to be too strong for Ankalaev. This isn’t going to be a close fight.

 

[Bradillac]

What I think were gonna see is Ankalaev not do so well with his wrestling, some people are expecting that to be his best shot and Alex's weakness. But I think we'll see Ankalaev do much better in the striking, more so than people think. Most are assuming Alex has a major advantage here, I don't think it's as big as people think.

I think the striking advantage is as big as people think. Ankalaev won’t be able to walk after the first round and will be a sitting duck until he’s KOd.

 

[JKS]

I think the striking advantage is as big as people think. Ankalaev won’t be able to walk after the first round and will be a sitting duck until he’s KOd.

I really hope so!

But I don't see it that way. I think Ankalaev is gonna give him some problems with his boxing. I think he's being underrated in that aspect this fight. Hope I am wrong.

 

[Tweak896]

I just don't understand why so many people are talking like Ank is this wrestling machine, not sure what everyones been watching lol, I've seen all of his UFC fights and he is 95% striking only, its all striking fights. There were a few fights where it hit the floor such as Paul Craig and Ank got tapped, then the Jan fight there was some grappling and it ended in a 5 round draw, and to be honest I wasn't really impressed with his ground, no passing, no sub attempts, very little ground 'n' pound, can't say I was amazed lol

I mean Ankalaev got a draw in his last title fight by winning rounds by wrestling. Jan outwrestled Alex for 1.4 rounds out of 3, and Ankalaev outwrestled Jan. Ankalaev probably never wrestled in other fights so he could get picked for a title shot.