Chael Sonnen believes Alex Pereira is making a mistake.
Earlier this month, Pereira lost Magmed Ankaraev’s light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 313. Before the event, conversations around Pereira centered around “Poatan” and moved to heavyweight in pursuit of a perhaps third UFC title, but after the loss, all signs pointed to an immediate rematch between him and Ankarabebe. And Sonnen thinks that’s not a good idea.
“I’m a huge Alex Pereira fan, not just on a personal level, but also on his work in the cage,” Sonnen said. Submitted radio. “Whether it’s illness, injury, or a combination of both, there’s nothing in that first fight. There was nothing about the first fight leading to a reasonable analyst who believes that the second fight will have different outcomes.
“That first fight was 4-1. It was four to one round. It was really not overly competitive. There were things (good) made by Pereira, such as stopping the takedown. I didn’t know he had this ability. 8, 9, and 10 would be something different.
“Whatever Pereira was supposed to have learned from his work experience, why can’t we believe that equal amounts will be learned by Ankaraev? Whatever we believe Pereira will be doing better work next time, why don’t we believe that Ankaraev (learned)? Foot.
For Pereira, the rematch takes not only about retrieving losses, but also about correcting the wrong thing. Recently, Poitan revealed that he had addressed many issues before the fight and considered withdrawing from the event before seeing things. Pereira seems to believe he will have more success and prepare for their rematch and give them a better show. But for Sonnen, it lacks a forest of trees. Pereira’s biggest opportunity isn’t Ankaraev, he’s still in the heavyweight division.
“I think that’s surprising and I think it’s a risk,” Sonnen said of the rematch. “The way Pereira turned 205 pounds is contrary to what people remember. People’s minds did tricks on them. People believe Pereira cleaned up the 185 so it turned 205. That’s not accurate.
“So if you want to take him to the heavyweight division, it wasn’t about defeating Ankaraev and cleaning up the 205. That wouldn’t beat him. We did it. You’re slamming him to take on the Jones vs Aspinel winner. It’s embarrassing, but there’s embarrassment when you rematch and drop two straight.”
Pereira and Ankaraev are expected to have a rematch later this year, with both men suggesting that August is a good timeline for their second fight.