“Nothing Extraordinary” – Alex Pereira Handed Brutal Verdict by Sharaputdin Magomedov Just Days Before UFC 308

Alex Pereira has taken the UFC by storm ever since he decided to make the switch from the kickboxing ring to the Octagon! Known for his thunderous knockouts and relentless activity, ‘Poatan’ recently defended his light-heavyweight title in spectacular fashion against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. Yet, despite his incredible success, not everyone is sold on his style.

Enter Sharaputdin Magomedov, a rising star with his own opinions about the champion. ‘Shara Bullet’ is undefeated in his professional MMA career and is set for his fourth UFC appearance at UFC 308 on October 26th. But in a recent interview, the middleweight had an interesting take on Alex Pereira’s fighting style.

Sharaputdin Magomedov makes a bold claim about Alex Pereira’s fighting style  

With a 78% KO/TKO rate according to Tapology, Alex Pereira is one of the most lethal strikers to ever step foot inside the UFC’s Octagon. But according to Sharaputdin Magomedov, there’s nothing particularly “extraordinary” about what ‘Poatan’ does! Why is that?

In a recent interview with Red Corner MMA shared on Instagram, Magomedov was asked whether he agrees with his coach’s assertion that ‘Shara Bullet’ is a more entertaining fighter than ‘Poatan’. A supremely confident Magomedov responded by stating, “I think so. Why not? He boxes, kicks, nothing extraordinary.”

For a fighter who has climbed to the top of two divisions in just 736 days or 7 bouts, it’s a bold claim to call his fighting skills “nothing extraordinary”. But Magomedov further explained, “His sidekicks are a bit non-standard, he’s a great fighter and his fights are entertaining, not many UFC fighters get to the title so quickly. There’s a lot that I can learn from him. He’s a great example.”

Pereira’s journey to the light heavyweight title was indeed rapid, filled with highlight-reel finishes along the way. But the Dagestani middleweight’s comments highlight something many have quietly wondered, has Alex Pereira truly mastered every aspect of MMA, or is his game still lacking in some areas?  Could that also be the key to ending his reign as a champion? Because according to a light heavyweight contender, things might not be as simple as they seem at first glance!  

UFC light heavyweight contender believes there’s one key to defeating ‘Poatan’  

Alex Pereira has successfully defended his light-heavyweight crown 3 times so far, with all wins coming via finish. While his kickboxing skills and accolades need no explanation, many fans and analysts have wondered why his opponents have yet to test his grappling skills. According to Aleksandar Rakic, that strategy might be easier said than done!

Rakic, currently ranked no. 5 in the 205 lbs. division is set to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 308 in a clash that may determine the next challenger for ‘Poatan’s crown. In a recent conversation with MMA Junkie, Rakic stated, “I think the most important thing with Alex is to mix it up. Of course, everyone says, ‘Go wrestle him. Go grapple him.’ But, of course, he trains wrestling and grappling, as well…”. Rakic also confessed that the conditioning aspect of such a strategy might be something that other challengers need to worry about if they plan to test Pereira’s grappling skills. 

In conclusion, while Alex Pereira’s knockout power is undeniable, critics like Sharaputdin Magomedov have raised questions about his overall skill set. But with fighters like Aleksandar Rakic hinting at the difficulty of exploiting Pereira’s perceived weaknesses, the path to dethroning ‘Poatan’ might not be as straightforward as some believe. Will a future challenger crack the code, or will Pereira’s lethal striking keep his challengers at bay? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!