Chael Sonnen has a daring take relating to Alex Pereira’s subsequent title protection.
Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) defends his gentle heavyweight title towards Khalil Rountree (13-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) within the UFC 307 headliner Oct. 5 at Salt Lake Metropolis.
Many suppose Rountree is undeserving of the title shot, and see Magomed Ankalaev because the extra worthy No. 1 contender. Sonnen then again sees Rountree as a nasty matchup for Pereira.
“First off, let me provide the sizzling take of the day: Khalil Rountree goes to stroll via Pereira,” Sonnen mentioned on “Good Man/Unhealthy Man” alongside Daniel Cormier. “That’s the worst matchup I may consider. That is ‘Smackdown’ invading ‘Uncooked,’ and let me clarify. After we consider who’s going to go battle for a title on pay-per-view, we consider different guys who’ve gained a complete bunch of fights on pay-per-view. Nicely, Khalil was from Smackdown. He got here from the opposite present.
“He’s been preventing on the Struggle Nights and on the (UFC) Apex and issues like this. He’s nonetheless gained (5) in a row, he stopped (4) of these sons of a weapons, and certainly one of them is a former No. 1 contender, our good buddy (Anthony) ‘Lionheart’ (Smith). … I’ll let you know this as a result of I don’t know the way acquainted you might be or the remainder of the followers are with Khalil, however he does his very best work when he’s being attacked by a kickboxer. It’s not Khalil swarming anyone or taking them down or submitting them. He’s a counter fighter, and he loves while you punch or kick at him first.”
Sonnen acknowledges Pereira’s aura, evaluating him to different legendary fighters that have been capable of intimidate their opponents previous to the battle even beginning.
Sonnen doesn’t see that taking place to Rountree although.
“Mike Tyson used to make guys give up within the again, Cain Velasquez would have guys wilt within the again. Anderson Silva would make guys wilt within the again as they have been so petrified of what was going to occur. Pereira is getting into that territory,” Sonnen mentioned. “Rountree is the unsuitable matchup.
“All these scary punches and kicks that Pereira does, that’s the place Rountree does his most interesting work. It is a large catastrophe for anyone that thinks the UFC is making an attempt to guard Alex. In the event that they’re making an attempt to guard Alex, anyone simply made a giant mistake.”
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