Alex Pereira’s Last Domino

Alex Pereira was put on the fast track as soon as he signed on the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s dotted line a little less than a year ago. The reason was simple. The Brazilian holds two victories against current UFC middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya as a kickboxer, including a brutal one-punch knockout in 2017.

“We’re doing all we can to get to the title,” Pereira told Sherdog.com. “My goal was to become champion when I joined the organization. I’m doing everything I can to make that happen.”

Before he can zero in on Adesanya inside the Octagon, the Teixeira MMA rep must get past the latest obstacle being placed in front of him: a UFC 276 middleweight showcase against Sean Strickland on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. A former King of the Cage champion who has found another gear since he moved to 185 pounds, Strickland has rattled off six consecutive victories.

“He is dangerous,” said Pereira, who has aligned himself with onetime UFC light heavyweight boss Glover Teixeira in Connecticut. “Folks have been speculating about how our fight may play out, but I honestly can’t visualize it. I’m training hard to win. I’m evolving, and I’m confident. We have to stay smart. He moves forward at all times, and he’s not afraid to trade strikes. He’s a complete fighter with good takedown defense. It will be a war. It will be tough. I’m well aware of that.”

The soon-to-be 35-year-old Pereira has no intention of engaging in any extracurricular activities with Strickland, who has a polarizing way with words.

“As far as any trash-talking he may be doing, I’m not paying attention to that,” Pereira said. “Honestly, I don’t even speak English. It doesn’t matter to me. Even if he says something negative, I wouldn’t internalize it. It doesn’t bother me.”

The stakes are undeniably high for both men. With Adesanya set to defend his middleweight crown against Jared Cannonier in the main event, Pereira could be in line for a title shot if he can clear his latest hurdle.

“Sean is the number four contender in the UFC rankings,” he said. “He’s well-established in the organization. The winner of our fight will be the title challenger. That’s been agreed upon. I’m taking things one step at a time. My next steps depend on this fight.”

Pereira made his hotly anticipated Ultimate Fighting Championship debut at UFC 268, where he cut down Andreas Michailidis with an exquisitely timed flying knee and follow-up punches in November. He then backed it up with a three-round unanimous decision over former M-1 Global champion Bruno Silva at UFC Fight Night 203 in March.

“I think I’m doing good work with my team,” Pereira said. “Everything is going as my manager and I planned. I hope to have a very good performance and to be able to show what I’ve been doing in training. I’m very happy with everything that’s been happening. I’m looking forward to putting on a show and satisfying everyone’s expectations of me.”