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via Imago

via Imago

After UFC veteran Anthony Smith got word about Alex Pereira challenging him to a submission clash, he thought it might have just been a dig. But what do you know? ‘Poatan’ wasn’t kidding! The light heavyweight champion took to social media recently and confirmed that the $50,000 bet is indeed real.

During a recent appearance on Michael Bisping‘s ‘Believe You Me’ podcast, Anthony Smith seemed pretty confident in his claims about choking “the sh*t out of Alex Pereira.” However, ‘Lionheart’ revealed it’s not him who wants to compete in the challenge, rather it’s the Brazilian ace himself. And yes, Pereira is serious about it and reminded Smith that the challenge is still on.

Alex Pereira is all set for the submission challenge

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Alex Pereira has shared a message for Anthony Smith to remind him that the $50,000 wasn’t a reference to them fighting at a UFC event. Instead, he was actually talking about competing in a gym to see who can get the better of the other when they try to tap each other out in a grappling contest.

“Someone tell this guy that the bet is real, I’m not talking about fighting at an event because I don’t need to promote myself,” wrote Alex Pereira on his Instagram story“I’m talking about booking in a gym and the bet would be there because if you wait to fight me at an event, it would probably be difficult to happen.”

Furthermore, the light heavyweight champion also mentioned that he’s currently injured, nursing his toes that broke when he fought Jamahal Hill at UFC 300. Hence, he’ll be resting at least for a month to recover.

via Imago

“I was out of action for a month because I broke both of my toes, so I only need a month for me to recover some of my cardio,” Pereira added. The Brazilian even took a dig at Anthony Smith’s comments about what he would do with the $50,000 as well.

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‘Poatan’ mocks Smith for claiming that he’ll purchase an NSFW product with the $50,000

In the same episode of ‘Believe You Me’, Anthony Smith made a rather unusual comment about what he’d do if he managed to beat Alex Pereira. He asserted that the $50,000 he will win will be used to buy an explicit product and put the champion’s name on it. After Pereira came across those comments, he attempted to one-up the UFC veteran.

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Rather than making random purchases, Alex Pereira wants to use the money for all the good reasons and help people who really need that money. He was once spotted distributing food in a favela and wishes to repeat that act again. “He said he would use this money to buy the stupidest thing, I would do it differently. I would buy food for people in need to lessen their pain,” Pereira added.

We’ll have to wait and see how things go down when they compete. But what are your takes on this situation? Is Alex Pereira going to get embarrassed by Anthony Smith or will it be the other way around?