UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping interviewed the thirst and hunger of Alex Pereira in the cage after UFC 313.
Alex Pereira's history making light heavyweight title Reign came to a dramatic end at UFC 313 against Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira had difficulty tackling Ankalaev's pace and pressure in all facets of MMA, especially in the later rounds in the clinch against the fence.
While the striking figures between Pereira and Ankalaev were close by, Ankalaev landed the more stunning shots during the matchup. He almost dropped Pereira with a huge blow in round 2, but Pereira was able to work through the pressure and suppress the progress of Ankalaev.
It was an unusual show on the feet for Pereira, all of which won all three of his earlier light heavyweight title defenses through Knockout. But some of the struggles he had in his most recent fight against Khalil Rountree Jr. was transferred to UFC 313.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Michael Bisping ask for Alex Pereira's 'Desire to Win' after UFC 313 loss
After the first light heavyweight defeat of Pereira, UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping went a step further in his analysis after the fight, including questioning Pereira's hunger against Ankalaev.
During a recent video that was uploaded to his YouTube channel, Bisping responded to Pereira's show on UFC 313.
“It was just a kind of lazy version from Alex Pereira. I didn't see that real desire to want to win, “said Bisping about Pereira. “Ankalaev was large, strong, good enough to compete on the feet and of course he had the Takedown threat. And although he did not get the Takedown, the threat was just as good as getting the Takedown because it opened the strikes for him. It stopped Pereira of being overly aggressive and did not want to move forward too much.
“For the most part, he was supported for 25 minutes. Pushed against the fence, a little controlled. Takedown Defense was on point … But you don't win a fight by defending Takedowns, “Bisping continued. “Alex Pereira, the people started to expect and in the fifth round … he just didn't. And Ankalaev gave him no chance and did not allow him … Pereira did not seem too happy, he felt that he had a matter of winning it … But we see that all the time happen and Ankalaev landed the bigger shots, was more aggressive, was no more than it was it
In the run -up to UFC 313, UFC Hall by Famer Daniel Cormier expressed concern about Pereira's busy last weeks prior to the Ankalaev fight. Pereira in the narrowly driven Sean Strickland on UFC 312 in Australia in the house of his UFC 313 camp.
Pereira, who felt that he was doing enough to earn the nod at UFC 313, admitted that he 'has to make some adjustments' for a rematch with Ankalaev. UFC CEO Dana White seems to be on board with an immediate Ankalaev vs. Pereira Rematch.
Alex Pereira's Pre-Fight Travel was criticized before UFC 313
While Pereira trained before UFC 313 during his Global Travels, some believe that he was not completely locked up when he entered the cage against Ankalaev. But his oeuvre is a strong thing for an immediate rematch with Ankalaev later this year.
After winning the then vacant title at UFC 295, Pereira was about to break a Jones hero record before he lost on UFC 313. He defended the belt against Jiří Procházka, Jamahal Hill and Rountree.
The potential heavyweight movement of Pereira can be on hold after UFC 313. While the Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Fight Talks will continue, Pereira will try to regain the light heavyweight throne.
Comments