UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira broke his toe two weeks before facing Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300, but still won by first-round knockout and suffered another blow during the bout. I broke my toe. “Poitan” is still pushing the idea of making a fresh start and fighting as a heavyweight at UFC 301 in 21 days, but manager Jorge Guimarães wants to delay those talks.
Coach Guimarães told MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca Podcast that he is concerned about Pereira getting injured heading into UFC 300, but that he won’t let the promotion know because he “wants to fight in any way possible” at UFC 300. He said he encouraged him. Now that he has successfully made his first title defense, the book says Pereira needs to relax and heal before booking his next assignment.
“It’s not going to happen, it’s never going to happen, especially now that he broke his toe again,” Guimarães said of Pereira, who fought in Rio de Janeiro on May 4. “He should go to the shipyard and wait for the dust to settle and celebrate his victory. Maybe [go to Brazil] To watch the event, but not to fight for him. ”
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinal posted a photo on his social media on Saturday after being cageside at T-Mobile Arena, watching Pereira prepare to enter the Octagon, and Guimarães “Aspinall’s hair stood on end” during his performance, he joked. However, it would probably be “premature” to discuss a Champion vs. Champion clash in Manchester in July.
“I do not think so [fighting Pereira] “It’s a good idea for Aspinal at the moment,” Guimarães said. “We’ll have to see what happens. I think it’s still too early. Aspinall is the interim champion, but why take the risk and fight ‘Poitan’?”I don’t think it makes much sense [for Aspinall]I don’t think it’s a good idea [for Aspinall].For us, it is [a good idea]”
Guimarães said the current plan is for Pereira to defend his light heavyweight title next, but he is open to the idea of moving up to heavyweight if the UFC makes the right offer.
“He has the drive and let me tell you this, he will do a great job at heavyweight,” Guimarães said. “He’s a very tough fight for anyone in the heavyweight division. He’s hungry to fight. He says his time is running out and he wants to accomplish as much as he can. I think he’s very confident and can shine in the heavyweight division. Let’s see what the UFC has in store for us, but he won’t be fighting in Rio de Janeiro.”
