Alex Pereira is now only a few weeks after making his first appearance of 2025 and wants to continue his shape as a 2024 hunter of the year.
During 2024, no champion defended their title more often than Alex Pereira, where the Brazilian superstar successfully held his 205 pound title after three defenses.
Although his year did not start yet, Pereira was in the corner of Sean Strickland for his UFC 312 title challenge against Dricus du Plessis.
After the fight, the Pereira stayed in Australia for a while, met fans and went to Drake concerts who led to some criticism.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Alex Pereira responds to criticism from Daniel Cormier with regard to UFC 313 preparation
On UFC 313 on March 8, 'Patan' will potentially take his most difficult test so far in his MMA career, Magomed Ankalaev.
The dominant Russian state is best known for its dominant and controlling wrestling approach, which according to many could be Pereira's Kryptonite.
Someone who has been seriously critical of the preparatory antics of Pereira is Daniel Cormier. Cormier has questioned Pereira's focus and declares that he has seen first hand how I was locked up in Ankalev and wondered what Pereira did in Australia days after UFC 312.
Not only that, but Pereira talked about a potential boxing fight against Oleksandr Usyk after being called by the Ukrainian champion.
Despite the criticism he received from the former UFC-double champion, the 37-year-old, however, publishes a response to the commentator.
“Don't worry, Daniel Cormier, we work here,” said Pereira in a series of reports about his Instagram story, ending with a video of him that trains his Takedown defense in Teixeira MMA.
Chael Sonnen also tackles Alex Pereira's training regime
Cormier is not the only UFC legend who has been critical of Pereira's UFC 313 preparation, because Chael Sonen has also shared his concerns.
'Patan' recently shared a training video in which he sparkled a professional boxer and did not wear a head guard.
Sonnen stated that it 'disturbs' that Pereira did not wear head protection because he probably takes years of his career.
Despite the broad care for the 37-year-old, he has so far only suffered one knockout loss during his MMA career and exhibited in his last fight against Khalil Rountree JR that he can take a lot of punishment.
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