UFC gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is staying sharp between fights by sparring with probably the greatest middleweights in MMA for the time being: his fellow Brazilian, Caio Borralho.
Pereira shared some footage from his tense sparring rounds with Borralho on social media. As you possibly can see, each males undoubtedly landed some arduous photographs — a testomony to how good they each are.
Alex Pereira sparring with Caio Borralho 👀🔥
🎥 @AlexPereiraUFC #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/2IpXbuSJQn
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 7, 2025
Alex Pereira doesn’t at the moment have a combat e-book, however is broadly anticipated to defend his title towards streaking Russian contender Magomed Ankalaev in his subsequent Octagon look. He has expressed some hesitation to take the combat previously, however Ankalaev is clearly deserves the chance greater than some other contender within the division.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes that’s Pereira is delaying the match to punish the Russian.
“[Ankalaev has] been speaking a whole lot of s**t and Alex doesn’t like that he talks s**t, so he’s like, ‘f**okay him, make him wait,’” Rogan mentioned on his podcast.
Pereira, a former Glory kickboxing champ received the vacant gentle heavyweight title with a knockout Jiri Prochazka in late 2023. He defended the belt thrice in 2024, first towards former champ Jamahal Hill, then in a rematch towards Prochazka, and eventually towards a tricky Khalil Rountree Jr. He received all three fights by stoppage, cementing himself as one of many best gentle heavyweight champions behind Jon Jones.
Caio Borralho additionally doesn’t have a combat booked, however locked up the No. 6 spot within the middleweight rankings with a formidable resolution win over former title challenger Jared Cannonier in his final Octagon look. He has received 16 straight fights — a run that additionally features a brutal knockout of Paul Craig. If he is ready to win his subsequent combat, he might earn himself a crack on the division’s title.
