Alex Pereira welcomes a proposed standup duel with Jamahal Hill, but doubts that Hill will follow through on his promise to score a “standing knockout” against him, and he has also expressed a desire for a trilogy bout in MMA with Israel Adesanya.
Alex Pereira is open to a standup duel with Jamahal Hill, but he remains skeptical about Hill’s promise to knock him out. Pereira expressed doubt that Hill will follow through on his promise during a live YouTube Q&A, stating “I think he’s a little bit [overconfident].” Despite Hill’s eagerness to test his striking against Pereira, the Brazilian fighter believes Hill may change his approach if things don’t go his way.
Following his title win at UFC 295, Pereira views Hill as the next logical challenge in the light heavyweight division, citing his victories over tough opponents like Jiri Prochazka and Jan Blachowicz. Pereira believes Hill’s statement about knocking him out through striking is overconfident and thinks things may not go as planned for Hill during their potential matchup.
Prior to his potential bout with Hill, Pereira initially called for an MMA trilogy bout with Israel Adesanya, his longtime rival. Adesanya, however, appears to be taking a hiatus from competition, which Pereira respects. He stated, “I will respect Adesanya’s opinion. It doesn’t matter if he’s afraid or not or not ready or whatever, or just wants to stay a little bit out. If he doesn’t want to fight me now, that’s OK. I respect that. That’s totally fine for me.”
Pereira has become known for his one-punch knockout power, with victories over notable fighters such as Prochazka, Adesanya, and Sean Strickland. Despite Hill’s bold statements, Pereira remains focused on his own approach to fights and believes that Hill may ultimately adapt his strategy if necessary. Ultimately, Pereira views Hill as a good opponent, but he remains wary of Hill’s overconfidence.