Fourth Title Defense at UFC 313 – In the Middle of Training Camp for UFC 313

Alex Pereira has been sharpening his skills ahead of his fourth UFC Light Heavyweight title defense at UFC 313. The Brazilian champion, widely considered one of the biggest stars in the sport today, recently engaged in a sparring session with Karate Combat president Asim Zaidi, also known as “President Awesome.”

Pereira made his UFC debut on November 7, 2021, and quickly rose to prominence. He first claimed the UFC Middleweight Championship by defeating his longtime rival Israel Adesanya at UFC 281. Although he lost their rematch, Pereira moved up to the Light Heavyweight division, where he found immediate success. After capturing the title against Ji?í Procházka at UFC 295, he successfully defended it three times against Jamahal Hill, Ji?í Procházka in a rematch, and Khalil Rountree Jr.

Sparring with “President Awesome”

UFC 313 is set to take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 8, 2025. In the main event, Pereira will defend his championship against Magomed Ankalaev. The challenger, ranked #1 in the Light Heavyweight division, secured his title shot with an impressive 13-fight unbeaten streak, including a dominant win over Aleksandar Raki? in October 2024.

With about one month left until fight night, Pereira is in full training camp mode. In a recent update, he shared a video on his YouTube channel showcasing his sparring session with Asim Zaidi, a former fighter and now the head of Karate Combat. Zaidi also teased the session on his Instagram account, captioning it:

“Champion vs. President – Who’s ready to see the sparring video?”

A Dominant Light Heavyweight King

Since moving up from Middleweight, Pereira has looked unstoppable in the Light Heavyweight division. His power and striking ability have made him one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport. With three title defenses already under his belt, there are very few top contenders left that he hasn’t beaten.

This makes the matchup against Ankalaev an intriguing challenge. While Pereira is known for his knockout power and elite striking, Ankalaev brings a well-rounded skill set, including a strong wrestling and grappling base, which could pose problems for the Brazilian champion.

UFC 313: A Stacked Event

Aside from Pereira vs. Ankalaev, UFC 313’s co-main event will feature a highly anticipated Lightweight showdown between former interim champion Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker. Gaethje is looking to bounce back after a loss to Max Holloway, while Hooker enters the bout riding a three-fight win streak.

With Pereira training at full intensity and adding new elements to his preparation, fans are eager to see if he can extend his reign as champion or if Ankalaev will seize the throne.

Source: MMAnytt.se

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