Daniel Cormier expressed concerns about Alex Pereira’s UFC 313 training camp, questioning whether the light heavyweight champion was actually focused on his upcoming title defense against Magomed Ankalaev, especially after he was a part of UFC Australia and acted as a mentor to Sean Strickland. However, it seems like the words have reached the ears of Alex Pereira, who assured the UFC legend that he is well-prepared for everything.

‘Poatan’ and his team at Glover Teixeira gym have responded to those issues in a way that only they could. Teixeira MMA & Fitness shared a video on their Instagram Story that shows the Brazilian champion sparring and training at full strength. The caption stated, “Don’t worry @dc_mma. We’re over here working”—a subtle yet confident style of letting everyone know that the champion is always prepared.

For the unaware, DC was concerned that travel and time zone changes might have an impact on Pereira’s preparation, given that ‘Poatan’ was still in Australia only weeks before the fight. With Ankalaev already in Las Vegas and settled into his camp, Cormier reminded Pereira that he needed to return home and hone his wrestling skills—an important component against a tough opponent like Ankalaev.

Despite Ankalaev’s guarantees that he will not rely on wrestling, Daniel Cormier is suspicious, believing it will play a significant role in this fight. This is why Glover Teixeira‘s presence in Pereira’s camp is so important as evidenced in the video. The former champion, together with Plinio Cruz, has worked on Pereira’s takedown defense and ground game. With this latest training update, it is evident that ‘Poatan’ is not taking anything lightly, regardless of where his camp is located. But what’s next for the reigning light heavyweight champion once he defeats Ankalaev? Well, Daniel Cormier‘s buddy Chael Sonnen has the answer.

Chael Sonnen believes Alex Pereira will change weight classes

Ilia Topuria’s brave decision to give up his featherweight title in favor of a run at lightweight gold has fueled speculation that other champions may follow suit. One name that stands out is Alex Pereira, and Chael Sonnen believes the light heavyweight champion will soon make the same move. Sonnen expressed his feelings on Instagram, stating, “Ilia Topuria the crazy son of a b—- actually did it…….Islam Makhachev is trying to do that, Alex Pereira is going to do that real soon.” Given that ‘Poatan’ reportedly weighs 230 pounds, a move to heavyweight is definitely not out of the question.

After all, The Brazilian has already created history by capturing two UFC championships in record time, proving his superiority at middleweight and light heavyweight. With his god-tier striking, many believe Pereira could be a major contender in the heavyweight division as well. However, as per reports, the UFC now requires champions to give up their belts before moving to different divisions, which means Pereira may have to sacrifice his light heavyweight title if he decides to move up.

Even with this new guideline, ‘Poatan’ is one of the few competitors who can make the switch to heavyweight without any issues. His natural stature, knockout power, and skilled striking make him an impossible match for anyone in the category. Whether or not he makes the jump, the American Gangter’s prediction surely is an interesting one. What do you think? Will Alex Pereira make the shift? Let us know in the comments.