Alex Pereira couldn’t defend his middleweight title at UFC 287. However, following his loss to Israel Adesanya, he decided to move up to light heavyweight. Moreover, ‘Poatan’ recently revealed that he will be training with former rival Sean Strickland in Danbury, Connecticut. Fans have reacted to the news on social media.
The former middleweight champion’s first light heavyweight bout will see him going head-to-head against a veteran of the division, Jan Blachowicz. The fight will be the co-main event of UFC 291, which has one of the best cards of the year. Before that fight, Pereira will be getting some help from one of his former rivals.
Alex Pereira to train with Sean Strickland
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During his recent appearance on ‘The MMA Hour’ with combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, ‘Poatan’ revealed that he will be training with Sean Strickland, whom he fought at UFC 276. Moreover, they will train together for one whole week. His translator said, “I am actually giving you a breaking news right now. He holds no grudge… no grudge.. against nobody. Sean Strickland is coming for one week for training next week with him, for his next fight.”
Student Poatan and Professor Strickland 😁 https://t.co/zve1YyLHvn pic.twitter.com/9LF7FVIwvL
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) June 9, 2023
Furthermore, Pereira’s translator also mentioned that they will be in Connecticut for the week-long training camp. However, the most unexpected news came when the translator mentioned that the former middleweight champion will be taking English lessons from ‘Tarzan’. He added, “Sean Strickland is coming to Danbury, Connecticut. He says he’s gonna learn English with Sean Strickland.” Let us see what the fans had to say after seeing both fighters together.
Fans react to a picture of ‘Poatan’ and Strickland together
There were a lot of hilarious reactions from the fans on social media. Let us take a look at some of them on Twitter.
A couple of fans noticed that Alex Pereira looked happier than usual.
This is the happiest I've ever seen Pereira.
— Honest Dagestani (@ufcmma_fan) June 9, 2023
Never seen Poatan so happy
— chavy (@Chavy1k) June 9, 2023
Another fan believes that ‘Poatan’ may have taken a liking to Sean Strickland after seeing him smile as much as he did in the photo with ‘Tarzan’.
Pereira must really like Strickland bc i haven’t seen him smile with anyone lmao
— 𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓪✨ (@snapxjitsu) June 9, 2023
A Twitter user said Sean Strickland will make him laugh the entire week instead of training with the former middleweight champion.
strickland is gonna make him laugh all week
— Stamkos96 (@Stamkos96) June 9, 2023
However, some people believe that ‘Tarzan’ has a great fighting mind despite his goofy attitude.
Strickland is a misunderstood genius
— Jack – Enic Out (@Jack_Doyle82) June 9, 2023
One fan wondered if Pereira, who already has great striking skills, will try to learn how to jab from Sean Strickland.
Training to learn how to jab from Strickland? 🤔
— MJGoat4Life (@diddy23_b) June 9, 2023
Alex literally looks like a different person smiling lmao
— Comment Warrior (@SocialMediaEgo) June 9, 2023
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While one fan reverted back to ‘Poatan’s smiling face and claimed that he looked like a different person.
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Most fans are aware that ‘Poatan’ mostly trains with his mentor and UFC legend Glover Teixeira. However, this time, ‘Poatan’ has decided to take help from a fellow UFC fighter. We will have to wait and see how things pan out for the Brazilian in the future.
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