Highly regarded Mixed Martial Arts instructor Ray Longo believes Alex Pereira may not be adequately equipped for a successful return to the heavyweight class.
The former multi-divisional UFC titleholder, Alex Pereira, is set to make his return to the Octagon this coming December to face off against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335. Following a highly challenging heavyweight debut at UFC Freedom 250, Pereira aims to secure a path toward a championship opportunity by taking on the veteran Pavlovich in a five-round co-main event.
This upcoming appearance at heavyweight comes half a year after Pereira suffered a TKO defeat to Ciryl Gane in their interim title match at the White House. He relinquished his UFC light heavyweight belt earlier this year to commit himself fully to the heavyweight ranks.
The Brazilian striker will aim to secure another spectacular finish for his highlight reel and capture his inaugural victory in the heavyweight division. However, despite his formidable skills and physical power, an iconic trainer argues that Pereira lacks the necessary frame to match up with the division’s top-tier competitors.
Ray Longo: Alex Pereira lacks the size to match up with top-tier UFC heavyweights
While guesting on a recent episode of the Anik & Florian podcast, esteemed coach Ray Longo offered a highly candid assessment regarding Pereira’s prospects in the heavyweight division.
“I have immense respect for him as a competitor, but looking closely—putting aside the head strikes and those terrible illegal blows—I didn’t observe anything prior to that which convinces me he would win a second fight,” Longo remarked concerning Pereira.
“The disparity in size and his movement patterns stood out to me. Alex fights somewhat like Bobby Green. He possesses great power, yet keeps his guard low. When facing these massive opponents, the real concern is whether he can absorb the incoming strikes, especially since he gets hit during sparring sessions too; he isn’t elusive. He tends to take shots to deliver his own.
“I believe these fighters might simply be too massive,” Longo elaborated regarding Pereira’s situation. “They are exceptionally large individuals. It remains to be seen how he fares against Sergei, but that matchup looks to be highly challenging as well, mainly because of his fighting style; he simply cannot afford to take clean punches from opponents of that scale. Fighting at middleweight is an entirely different story compared to 250 pounds, so I have my doubts.” (h/t MMA Fighting)
How do you see the matchup between Alex Pereira and Sergei Pavlovich playing out? Let us know your predictions in the comment section!
This piece originally debuted on BJPENN.COM
