Alex Pereira responds to criticism from Daniel Cormier ahead of UFC 313 title fight
Yesterday at 12:31 PM
Alex Pereira is now just a few weeks out from making his first appearance of 2025, looking to continue his form as 2024 Fighter of the Year.
Throughout 2024, no champion defended their title more times than Alex Pereira, with the Brazilian superstar successfully holding onto his 205lb title after three defenses.
Despite his year having not kicked off yet, Pereira was in the corner of Sean Strickland for his UFC 312 title challenge against Dricus Du Plessis.
Following the fight, the Pereira stayed out in Australia for a while, meeting with fans and going to Drake concerts which has resulted in some criticism.
Alex Pereira responds to criticism from Daniel Cormier regarding UFC 313 preparation
At UFC 313 on March 8, ‘Poatan’ will take on potentially his toughest test thus far in his MMA career, Magomed Ankalaev.
The dominant Russian is most well known for his dominant and controlling wrestling approach, which many believe could be Pereira’s kryptonite.
Someone who has been heavily critical of Pereira’s preparation antics, is Daniel Cormier. Cormier has questioned Pereira’s focus, stating that he has seen firsthand how locked in Ankalev is, wondering what Pereira was doing in Australia days after UFC 312.
Not only that, but Pereira has been talking about a potential boxing fight against Oleksandr Usyk after he was called out by the Ukrainian champion.
However, despite the criticism he has received from the former UFC double champion, the 37-year-old issues a response to the commentator.
“Don’t worry, Daniel Cormier, we’re over here working,” Pereira said in a series of posts on his Instagram story, ending with a video of him training his takedown defense at Teixeira MMA.
Chael Sonnen also chimes in on Alex Pereira’s training regime
Cormier isn’t the only UFC legend that has been critical of Pereira’s UFC 313 preparation, as Chael Sonnen has also shared his concerns.
‘Poatan’ recently shared a training video where he was sparring a professional boxer and wasn’t wearing a headguard.
Sonnen stated that it ‘bothers’ him that Pereira wasn’t wearing head protection as he is likely taking years off his career.
Despite the wide concern for the 37-year-old, he has only suffered one knockout loss so far during his MMA career and showcased in his last fight against Khalil Rountree Jr that he can take a lot of punishment.
