Glover Teixeira will probably be in Alex Pereira’s nook when “Poatan” defends his mild heavyweight belt towards knockout artist Khalil Rountree within the UFC 307 fundamental occasion Saturday, and he likes Pereira’s probabilities in a possible transfer to heavyweight.
Pereira teased the concept previously, however not too long ago mentioned he could be extra keen to chop again right down to 185 kilos to face champion Dricus du Plessis as a substitute. Teixeira, nonetheless, mentioned Pereira’s punching energy would translate simply fantastic to UFC’s heaviest division.
“[Pereira’s] knockout energy is unbelievable,” Teixeira mentioned in an interview with MMA Preventing. “He’s doing nice on the bottom, and he’s a pure knockout artist. If he goes up, these guys received’t beat him, man. They might have the identical probability the opposite ones have [at light heavyweight]. Khalil, Jon Jones or Stipe [Miocic]? Okay, I consider Poatan catches them.”
Pereira claimed UFC middleweight gold in November 2022 and misplaced it in a direct rematch with Israel Adesanya six months later, then left the division to kick off a 4-0 run at 205 kilos that already features a trio of knockouts and two title defenses.
Teixeira mentioned the staff would deal with getting Pereira “stronger and heavier” for a possible transfer to Jon Jones’ weight class, however “I’ve skilled with many heavyweights, and [Pereira] is that sturdy.”
A former UFC mild mild heavyweight champion who has beforehand fought Jones previously, Teixeira mentioned he would choose to maneuver as much as heavyweight as a substitute of going again to middleweight if he have been in Pereira’s sneakers. Nonetheless, he helps whichever choice “Poatan” makes subsequent.
“Perhaps going up could be undoubtedly simpler. That may be my opinion, however it’s simply an opinion.” Teixeira mentioned. “We must see what the docs say, if he can transfer down wholesome, however I believe he would undoubtedly must lose muscle. There’s no different approach. He’s gained loads of muscle coaching wrestling. He used to make 185 in GLORY, however he was doing kickboxing solely, and he stored rising [with wrestling], and the minimize obtained tougher. We now have to see what the professionals say. If he desires to go down, we’ll go down collectively. And we’ll win anyplace.”
Rountree stands throughout the cage from the champion on Saturday trying to spoil any plans of Pereira holding a number of UFC belts concurrently, and Pereira’s staff is taking him severely. Poatan moved his total camp to eight,500-feet above sea degree to organize for Salt Lake Metropolis’s excessive altitude, and received’t be shocked if Rountree modifications his total fashion to keep away from Pereira’s palms and kicks.
“It’s a struggle,” Teixeira mentioned. “Even ‘Cro Cop’ [Mirko Filipovic] shot for takedowns. Perhaps he’s like, ‘It’s f*cking laborious right here, I’ll attempt to take him down.’ Everybody at this degree trains jiu-jitsu. Which may not be his greatest energy, however he trains it. And he undoubtedly may shoot for a takedown. Poatan trains every part, all the time, however his threats are on the ft. He’s quick, and he’s explosive.”
