Sean Strickland refuses to count Alex Pereira in a potential rematch against UFC Champ Magomed Ankalaev.
One of the greatest superstars of the UFC Alex Pereira took a fall earlier this year in the pound-for-pound ranks when he lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev on UFC 313.
Ankalaev stood up against Pereira and although he was not successful in his 12 Takedown attempts, Ankalaev pulled the champion on the feet.
After five rounds, Ankalaev was crowned the new champion through a unanimous decision. Pereira is said to have offered an immediate rematch with Ankalaev on UFC 317 before Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira filled the main event slot.
Pereira could take a much needed break from the UFC, because 'Patan' defended his title four times in 11 months and was already one of the most active hunters on the Roster for that piece.
Must Pereira Ankalaev Rematch in his return, his former enemy Sean Strickland loves his chances – with the right adjustments of course.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Sean Strickland says that Alex Pereira has a 'big chance' to beat Magomed Ankalaev
The current champion Ankalaev has an undefeated line of 14 fights and has only lost once in his 24-Vecht career. Ankalaev was the first loss of Pereira in light heavyweight and second in the UFC. The first UFC loss of Pereira came in the middleweight to rival Israel Adesanya by knockout.
“Magomed Ankalaev is just so f— good,” Strickland told Red Corner MMA.
“I think a few things. I think Alex has a big chance to beat him in the rematch. I think Alex is going too fast. I mean, how many title defenses did he have? Up and down weight classes go.”
Pereira had five title defenses in two years, three of them successful.
Sean Strickland believes that Alex Pereira 'should take a step back' and stopping traveling around the world
The Brazilian Pereira, although not the current champion, is one of the most recognizable UFC stars worldwide for its epic UFC speed-oriented, which opponents switches off time and time again.
“Alex is a superstar,” said Strickland.
“He can't leave his house without anyone saying, oh, s -there is Alex. Do we have to take a picture?”
“It takes a little toll in the mind,” Strickland said about Pereira's star row.
“So I think Alex, if he just takes a step back, makes his brain free, comes in fresh, stop traveling all over the f— world, I think he has a legitimate shot of beating [Ankalaev]. “
Pereira had a crazy camp for UFC 313. Some hunters such as Henry Cejudo blame Pereira's lifestyle for the Ankalaev fight.