Alex Pereira is convinced he was far from his optimal performance level at UFC 313. This Saturday, he aims to avenge his March loss, where he relinquished his light heavyweight title.
Following the UFC 320 press conference in Las Vegas on Thursday, Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev had an intense staredown. After a period of rest and recovery, many anticipate a significantly improved Pereira this weekend as he returns to the Octagon.
`Poatan` recently made a remarkable statement regarding his true potential, based on his self-assessment of his earlier performance this year.
Alex Pereira: “At 100%, I`d Be Lethal” – Reflecting on His UFC 313 Performance Below 50%
As Alex Pereira seeks to surpass Daniel Cormier`s record, he is highly confident in delivering a vastly superior performance at UFC 320. Before his initial bout with Magomed Ankalaev, there was considerable discussion about the defending champion`s consistent fight schedule and its potential effects.
Pereira suffered a defeat to Ankalaev at UFC 313, and the Brazilian recently revealed on The Brian Campbell Experience that he believes he was operating at less than half of his true potential.
“Honestly, I was around 40% for that fight, that night,” Pereira stated. “This time, it will certainly be much more. Even if I`m only at 50%, that extra 10% will make an immense difference. I intend to leave no room for doubt.”
During a subsequent fight week interview with the UFC, Pereira was questioned about his hypothetical performance at 100%, especially given his competitive showing against his opponent while operating at a significantly lower capacity. The former champion`s reply was that no one would want to witness such a scenario.
“I don`t believe I`ve ever fought at 100 percent,” he mused. “If I were at my absolute peak in a fight, I honestly think I might kill someone.”
At UFC 320, Alex Pereira Aims to Emulate a UFC Legend`s Milestone
Although Alex Pereira`s defeat to Magomed Ankalaev may have momentarily dimmed his star, his impressive achievements in the UFC should not be overlooked. Reclaiming the light heavyweight title and avenging his prior loss would not only restore `Poatan`s` standing as one of the sport`s premier athletes.
He would also make history as only the second fighter in UFC history to become a three-time champion across two distinct weight divisions. The sole fighter to achieve this remarkable feat before him was Randy Couture, who secured the light heavyweight championship by defeating Tito Ortiz at UFC 44 in 2003.
