UFC Legend Claims Alex Pereira Is Making 6 Figures to Risk His Own Fight & Corner Sean Strickland for UFC 312

Alex Pereira has recently captured attention after coach Eric Nicksick revealed to ‘The Schmo’ that the Brazilian will take on the role of the cornerman for his rival-turned-training partner, Sean Strickland, at UFC 312. This comes even as Pereira’s own fourth title defense against Dagestani sensation Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 looms on the horizon. Since the announcement, ‘Poatan’ has garnered widespread praise for his selflessness and the strong bond he shares with ‘Tarzan’.

However, fighter-turned-analyst Michael Bisping offered a different perspective ahead of the company’s outing in Australia. ‘The Count’ suggested that ‘Poatan’s’ trip to the land down under is not just about supporting his teammate; it is also a chance to cash in on a lucrative opportunity. According to Bisping, Pereira will “get paid a ton of money” for his appearances, adding that while many view the Brazilian as the face of the UFC, he sees it as a chance to make a substantial income.

Bisping, who acknowledged he was never as big a star as Conor McGregor, reflected on his own experience, saying, “I still got those opportunities.” He continued, “So, Alex Pereira, right now being the star that he is, being the current champion, I’m telling you, he’ll go off down to Australia, make like $100,000-$150,000. And on top of that, while he’s there, he gets to be a good teammate. He gets in the good graces of everybody. He’s so sacrificial; he puts others before himself.’ So, it’s a nice little PR move, he’s probably going to get paid a ton of money,” ‘The Count’ concluded.

While Conor McGregor, once the face of the UFC, remains on an extended hiatus, Brazilian powerhouse Alex Pereira has emerged as the UFC’s new dominant figure. Since his debut in 2021, ‘Poatan’ has made an immediate impact, quickly cementing his status as one of the promotion’s top stars. The Brazilian, with ten fights under his belt and an average of one fight every 106 days (second only to Kevin Holland), has been instrumental in helping Dana White fill gaps in lackluster fight cards.

Yet, despite his success, ‘Poatan’s’ decision to travel to Australia ahead of his fourth title defense has been labeled “risky” by UFC legend Daniel Cormier. Let’s take a deeper look at why.

Daniel Cormier highlights the disadvantage for Alex Pereira in cornering Sean Strickland at UFC 312

Daniel Cormier has expressed concern over Alex Pereira’s decision to corner his friend and training partner, Sean Strickland, in his title fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312. With the Brazilian’s own looming challenge against Magomed Ankalaev just a month away, Cormier considers this move to be a risky one. The timing, including the travel and recovery required, may result in wasted time that could otherwise be used for training.

In his latest YouTube video, Cormier addressed ‘Poatan’ directly, stating, “What we do know is that Alex Pereira is going to be fighting a guy who could be his most formidable opponent because of his style. But we also have to consider that his bond with Strickland is so strong that he’s willing to travel across the world to corner him. To me, that seems dangerous. It seems risky for Alex to go all the way to Australia, knowing what goes into a training camp and how taxing that travel can be on your body when you’re preparing to defend your world championship.”

What’s your opinion on Michael Bisping’s take on Alex Pereira? Do you think this is the real reason ‘Poatan’ is traveling to Australia, beyond just supporting his teammate Sean Strickland? Share your thoughts below.