UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira is ready to make his first title defense against a familiar foe in former champion Israel Adesanya. The two have had a longstanding rivalry dating back to their kickboxing days. Although both fighters are two of the most talented kickboxers of their generation, it seems that ‘Poatan’ has ‘Stylebender’s’ number, beating him every time they faced each other.

However, the former champion will be motivated to reign supreme in the middleweight division again. Despite this, WBC interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia thinks that the Brazilian kickboxer has an unorthodox fighting style that could prest him with the victory. Garcia himself is preparing to face his longtime rival Gervonta Davis in one of boxing’s biggest fights this month.

Ryan Garcia reveals why Alex Pereira’s style is dangerous

Garica recently shared a video of the UFC champion training ahead of the fight, as a story on Instagram. In the video, we can see a much bigger ‘Poatan’ with his weight reportedly at 230 pounds, which is 40 pounds over the middleweight limit. Moreover, we can see Pereira fighting with his hands down. However, Garcia then claimed that although it might look like his guard is down, his high fight IQ and anticipation for punches keep him safe. Sharing the clip, Garcia wrote, “May think his hands are down but his awareness of spacing and anticipation is what keeps him safe“.

Pereira’s ability to anticipate his opponent’s moves is a key aspect of his success. By staying light on his feet and constantly moving, he is able to dodge punches and counter with his own strikes. Another factor that sets Pereira apart is his incredible power. Despite his hands being down, his kicks and punches pack a serious punch that can knock out even the toughest opponent.

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Meanwhile, the animosity between the two has only been rising as the date for the final showdown comes closer. The two have fought twice in kickboxing and once in the UFC, with the Brazilian winning on all three occasions. Recently, ‘Poatan’ wore a jacket that caught the attention of many.

Alex Pereira wears a Pikachu jacket

The Last StlyeBender’s love for anime is quite publically known. However, for Pereira, this could just be another way to play mind games with the former champion. Therefore, it wasn’t too surprising when ‘Poatan’ decided to wear a jacket with the famous Pokemon character Pikachu printed on the back.

This is not the first time Pereira has tried to mock Izzy’s love for anime. In addition, it is clear that he will do everything necessary to gain an advantage in the upcoming battle. However, the pressure of defending the championship is now on him and fans can soon find out if he can cope with the pressure and successfully defend the title at UFC 287.

UFC 287: Alex Pereira’s Reaction to Dana White’s Khamzat Chimaev Offer Leaves Fans With Mixed Reactions

What is your take on UFC 287 and Garcia’s thoughts on Pereira’s training footage? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch This Story: UFC 287: Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya- date, time, venue, tickets, and live stream