Michael
Bisping is not impressed with Alex
Pereira’s latest sparring footage.
Pereira (13-3) is scheduled to fight Ciryl Gane
for the interim heavyweight title at
UFC White House on June 14. Having started his MMA career at
middleweight, the jump is massive for Pereira.
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Pereira recently uploaded a sparring video with UFC heavyweight Tallison
Teixeira. Bisping is concerned about Pereira’s heavyweight move
after watching the footage. Bisping notes that Pereira doesn’t have
much output and also gets clipped by “Xicao.” While Bisping gives
Teixeira due credit, “The Count” doesn’t think he is on the same
level as Gane. Bisping expects Pereira to have his way with
Teixeira if he is preparing to fight Gane. Bisping also expects
Gane to have a speed advantage over Pereira.
Analyzing the Tape
“Tallison Teixeira is a good fighter; he’s got a big fight coming
up… But for Alex Pereira going up against Ciryl Gane, you would
think that he would be having his way,” Bisping said on YouTube. “We see here, he’s backing him up
against the fence, he’s about to go on the attack, nice 1-2, but
Tallison fires back with some heavy firepower, cracks him with the
right hand. And you know that Ciryl Gane is going to have the speed
advantage. He’s also going to be lighter on the feet.”
Pereira won the middleweight title, lost it and moved up to light
heavyweight, where he also became the champion. “Poatan” defended
the light heavyweight title thrice before losing it to Magomed
Ankalaev. Pereira exacted revenge in their rematch, knocking
out Ankalaev in 80 seconds to reclaim his title at UFC 320 last
year. The Brazilian now looks to create history by becoming the
first
UFC fighter to win titles in three weight classes. However,
Pereira’s bulk for heavyweight has many concerned. While Pereira is
gaining mass, he doesn’t look shredded like his usual
self.