Watching Alex Pereira following in his mentors’ footsteps to seek out the identical world championship success has been one among the ‘feel good’ stories of the past few years; and in line with Glover Teixeira, that story is way from being finished.
As Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira prepares for his third title fight of 2024, former light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira explains that ought to the Brazilian superstar opt to maneuver up once more next 12 months, it’ll be ‘no problem’ for the ex-185lb and current 205lb king.
It’ll be ‘no problem’ for Alex Pereira to maneuver to heavyweight
Talking to RG.org, Teixeira explained that whilst Alex Pereira signed on the dotted line to hitch the UFC roster, he knew that it wouldn’t be long before ‘Poatan’ became a world champion within the promotion.
“I said to people who he was going to be a champion inside one 12 months within the UFC due to his athletic ability, his strength, and the way coachable he’s; he’s a man that can listen, and he doesn’t have an ego… I used to be very right about that.”
Yet whilst the pair began strolling down their shared path to UFC gold and glory, the combat sports veteran understood Pereira would gain increasingly more weight as he transitioned from training purely kickboxing to Mixed Martial Arts.
“We talked about it because the starting – I said to him, ‘You’re going to get larger due to the wrestling training, and eventually you’re going to need to move up [to light heavyweight].’ That’s numerous weight [to cut to 185lbs], and he didn’t have that much to lose [as] he’s very lean.”
Should Alex Pereira proceed to run through the sunshine heavyweight division and defeat Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 307 in October, there’ll likely be more calls for the Brazilian superstar to try his hand at moving up once more, this time to heavyweight.
“I feel I feel comfortable now with 205 [pounds], completely happy with the load cuts,” noted Teixeira, before acknowledging that Pereira could find similar title success in a 3rd division.
“But in addition, I’ll be completely happy if he moves up – I feel he has the potential to beat anyone at heavyweight… The guy is a beast, man. His strength is sort of a heavyweight; he hits like a heavyweight. So, it’ll be no problem.”
Teixeira explains what his coaching dynamic with Alex Pereira is like
Never one to overlook someone as dangerous as Rountree, Glover Teixeira also offered a fast insight into how training camp goes ahead of UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“We prepare for every little thing… Rountree is fighter. We all know who he’s; [he’s a] tough kid, superb striker… It’s not much different than the opposite fights to be honest, because anything can occur… So it’s just about the identical training for Jamahal Hill or for Jiri Prochazka.”
When asked concerning the dynamic of being concurrently each a coach and a friend to Pereira, the fan-favorite veteran explained the way it all was just “very natural” and that he didn’t need to take into consideration the way it could impact their bond.
“I don’t have a selection to give it some thought, you realize? I used to be already a coach. It’s never, ‘Oh s***, I even have to teach Alex, the largest star within the UFC straight away.’ We’re similar to two dudes over here training.
“I understand numerous his background and the identical silly jokes. So we’d say something we used to say once we were kids or something, and it’d at all times just bring up some memories. Straight away we connected.
“At the tip of the day, it’s just a couple of friends training within the garage, having fun, doing the best thing and conquering the world.”
As aptly noted by RG.org reporter Erik Uebelacker, ‘Despite his recent success, Teixeira still doesn’t take all of it too seriously’ as he stated: “Sometimes, I coach with a beer in my hand.”
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