Henry Cejudo thinks Alex Pereira was more focused on traveling than training for his fight against Magomed Ankalaev. Leading up to UFC 313, some commentators were worried about Pereira’s busy schedule, which included cornering Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Australia. Pereira claimed he was there for business, and he often trains with talented fighters wherever he goes.
However, the real question is: was he truly ready for Ankalaev? Ankalaev came into the fight looking sharp, as if he had spent significant time preparing in the mountains for this challenge. Cejudo noticed that Pereira didn’t appear as fit as usual and seemed to be carrying extra weight.
"Not to take anything away from Ankalaev, because he won," Cejudo shared on his Pound 4 Pound podcast. "But I think Pereira’s hectic lifestyle is catching up to him. All the travel and distractions might be doing him a disservice." Cejudo observed that Pereira’s body looked different, noting he seemed "pudgier" and had a thicker face.
Cejudo praised Ankalaev’s strategy during the match, praising his use of pressure, front kicks, and counterattacks to disrupt Pereira’s style. He described Ankalaev’s performance as a “masterpiece,” even if some found it boring. “It may have looked close, but Ankalaev controlled the fight,” he said.
Kamaru Usman, Cejudo’s co-host, agreed, noting Pereira seemed a step behind in the fight. Cejudo emphasized, “Pereira had his mouth open most of the fight, and that might be influenced by his busy lifestyle.”
In the aftermath, Pereira is looking for a rematch and plans to make adjustments. It remains to be seen if he will buckle down in training or continue his globe-trotting ways.
Interestingly, Ankalaev’s win highlights a shifting trend in MMA, where disciplined strategies often beat flashy lifestyles. A recent report revealed that fighters who maintain strict training regimens see a higher success rate, showing that focus and dedication can outweigh talent alone. It’s worth watching how Pereira adapts after this defeat and whether he will prioritize preparation over travel in the future.
For further insights into the effects of training vs. lifestyle on performance in MMA, check out this recent study on athlete habits.
Check out this related article: Lifestyle Asset Management Inc. Expands Portfolio with 87 Microsoft Shares (NASDAQ: MSFT) Acquisition
Source linkcejudo,believes,pereira,s,lifestyle,is,finally,catching,up,to,him,mmamania,com,latest-news,ufc-news,front-page
