“I Know 3 People Who Beat Alex Pereira” – Oleksandr Usyk’s Sparring Partner Sets It Straight on UFC Champ Call-Out

Alex Pereira, the UFC light heavyweight champion, is set to enter possibly the biggest fight of his career against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8. With its lightweight title on the line, it might be his toughest challenge. However, fans are already looking forward to the step he will take post-UFC 313.

A few days ago, undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk sent shockwaves around the world announcing that he is ready to hang up the gloves. In a recent interview with TNT Sports, the Ukrainian the Ukrainian boxer confirmed the news originally published by Sky Sports that he plans to fight only two more times before retiring. However, the far more surprising disclosure was that Usyk named Alex Pereira as one of his top picks for those fights.

Since the declaration, the combat world has been in complete disarray, sharing their verdict on the fight. With the constant discourse, boxing journalist Elie Seckbachwas able to get hold of Usyk’s sparring partner Mr. T. Well, he not only shared his verdict but also disclosed three fighters who can get the better of ‘Poatan’.

Oleksandr Usyk: The heavy favorite

During the conversation, Mr. T declared, “I know three people to beat Alex Pereira in kickboxing.” He looked quite confident as he named “Artem Vakhitov, Artem Levin, and Ukrainian Artur Kyshenko,” as his three contenders. Given that Vakhitov and Kyshenko have already defeated Poatan back in his kickboxing days, Mr. T’s answer holds value. Vakhitov and Pereira met in GLORY twice. While the Brazilian won the first bout, the Russian exacted his revenge at GLORY 78 in a light heavyweight title fight. The duo met each other backstage during the UFC’s contender series last year.

On the other hand, Oleksandr Usyk’s compatriot Artur Kyshenko faced the UFC light heavyweight champion way back in 2016 as Kunlun Fight 48 and won via a unanimous decision. Kyshenko is still one of the top kickboxers in the world and can hold his own against anyone. While Artem Levin has never faced Periera, Mr. T believes that the former Glory Middleweight Champion can surprise everyone. We have to keep in mind that T was talking about kickboxing rather than MMA.

As the conversation proceeded, Seckbach asked him about the potential fight that everyone is talking about. “Pereira or Usyk?” Mr. T reconfirmed. Well, it looks like the Ukranian preferred his compatriot Oleksandr Usyk if the fight takes place inside the squared circle. “I think KO,” he declared predicting it as a bad move for the MMA star. 

Amidst the chaos, the former boxing world champion has also shared his opinion on the fight. In contrast to the combat world’s excitement, he is not much of a fan of this idea.

Alex Pereira taking on more than he can handle

On Sunday, former WBC, WBA, and IBF super middleweight champion, Carl Froch took to his YouTube channel to claim that if Oleksandr Usyk and Alex Pereira faced inside the boxing ring, it would be a huge mismatch. While everyone thinks that it will be a close fight, Froch claims otherwise.

“Last night, I watched Alex Pereira sparring on YouTube. He’s okay. He’s a little bit upright. Chin’s in the air a bit, but he’s a bit bolt-rigid. No head movement and quite basic. Usyk’s dealt with the best in the world, so Usyk against Pereira in a boxing match based on what I’ve seen of Periera [is a mismatch],” claimed Froch.

‘The Cobra’ praised the UFC champion’s discipline and skills but believed that he had no chance against the undisputed heavyweight champion inside the squared circle. On the other hand, if this fight happens inside the Octagon, “Alex Pereira would probably absolutely wipe him (Usyk) out,” Froch declared.

Mr.T and Froch’s verdicts reveal that while both Pereira and Usyk are absolutely unbeatable in their fields, crossing the forbidden door will prove too much for them. In the end, the result will only depend on who will cross that door. What do you think about this potential fight? Let us know your thoughts down below.