Zhilei Zhang believes in Alex Pereira.
Again in 2023, Zhang and Pereira made headlines when photographs emerged of the 2 fight stars sharing a boxing ring collectively, prematurely of their respective fights with Joe Joyce and Israel Adesanya.
What a sparring ! After 4 rounds with zhilei zhang Im very assured for my subsequent battle ! It was a tough and harmful sparring – precisely what I wanted. Now I do know even more- I’m prepared for eighth of April! pic.twitter.com/1oKCLhbu6b
— Alex “Poatan” Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) March 19, 2023
Talking lately with The MMA Hour, Zhang defined precisely what occurred that day and heaped reward on the UFC gentle heavyweight champion.
“We sparred as soon as, for 4 rounds,” Zhang stated by means of his translator. “That day I keep in mind it was 12 rounds for me. I had two guys earlier than Alex went within the ring, so we did 4 rounds. We each had a battle developing and we didn’t have any footage or filming in regards to the sparring.
“He’s boxer. I can let you know he has good reflexes, good pace, and good energy. I watched his fights loads within the UFC. He type of dominates all people standing.”
Pereira hails from a kickboxing background, profitable the GLORY middleweight and lightweight heavyweight titles earlier than transitioning to MMA full-time in 2021. It’s been choice, as Pereira has already established himself as an all-time nice in MMA in simply three years, profitable Fighter of the Yr honors, headlining a few of UFC’s largest occasions, and turning into solely the ninth fighter to win UFC belts in a number of weight lessons.
This yr, Pereira is the early favourite to win Fighter of the Yr honors but once more as he’s already defended his gentle heavyweight title twice, knocking out Jamahal Hill within the first spherical at UFC 300 after which stepping in on brief discover to knock out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303. Pereira’s outstanding run has followers speaking in regards to the chance that he may transfer as much as heavyweight to change into the primary ever three-division champion in UFC historical past. And after as soon as sparring session with him, Zhang believes Pereira can do it.
“I feel he has it,” Zhang stated. “He has the facility to translate to heavyweight.”
Whether or not Pereira will get the possibility this yr stays to be seen. Whereas “Poatan” says he intends to maneuver up earlier than his profession is completed, the sunshine heavyweight champion additionally could also be in line to defend his title as soon as extra in 2024.
