UFC middleweight Alex Pereira made a massive splash on his UFC debut by earning a second-round TKO via flying knee. The only two-division GLORY Kickboxing champion landed a flush knee on Andreas Michailidis who was gassed out entering into round two. Andreas Michailidis won the first round by controlling his opponent but failed to carry forward his momentum.

Pereira spent the majority of the first round with his back to the cage as Michailidis pushed the action following an early takedown. The crowd in attendance began to chant out for striking action and were certainly gifted with a picturesque knockout in round 2. The Brazilian kickboxing sensation proved his mettle after being entrusted with the feature prelims spot at UFC 268.

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Alex Pereira: A contender at middleweight?

Pereira comes in as the only man in combat sports to have earned a clean-cut KO over divisional champion Israel Adesanya. Both men met during their days in the kickboxing ring and Pereira dusted Adesanya with his patented power. With an impressive win in his debut, he’ll be looking to make the right match-ups to challenge ‘Izzy’ in the octagon.

UFC fans and fellow fighters took notice of Alex Pereira as it is hard to ignore the striking threat he brings to the cage. It will be seemingly impossible for any middleweight fighter to strike with him in any range wearing four-ounce gloves. Andreas Michailidis certainly learned that the hard way on the biggest stage.

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Notable UFC royalty, Jon Jones and Amanda Nunes took to Twitter and shared their immediate reaction to Alex Pereira’s win. ‘Bones’ noted how the Brazilian striking sensation could be fast-tracked to a fight with Israel Adesanya, given their history. Moreover, Nunes was simply in awe at Pereira’s impeccable technique under the bright lights.

The future is bright for Alex Pereira as he’s begun his UFC journey off on the right foot. The UFC will definitely be looking to match him up in exciting fights that could produce more highlight-reel finishes.

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