Alex Pereira displayed certain shortcomings in his first fight against Magomed Ankalaev, shortcomings he can fix in the rematch, according to former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy. Hardy shared his insights during an interview with Helen Yee Sports at Xtreme Couture.
Lessons from UFC 313
At UFC 313 in March, Pereira lost his light heavyweight title to Ankalaev. The bout saw Ankalaev dominate and claim the 205-pound throne via unanimous decision. Hardy analyzed Pereira’s approach in the first fight and suggested the Brazilian fighter may have shown excessive respect toward his opponent. “I think maybe Pereira had a little bit too much respect for Magomed Ankalaev in the last fight,” Hardy said. He explained that Pereira’s close-range pressure usually overwhelms opponents, but against Ankalaev, he appeared hesitant and reactive.
Strategy for the Rematch
Hardy believes Pereira can gain an advantage by closing distance and pressing forward aggressively. He advised using a Thai clinch to control exchanges and maintain offensive momentum. “It’s better if he’s pressuring forward and forcing Ankalaev to shoot under pressure,” Hardy added. By taking the initiative, Pereira can reduce Ankalaev’s ability to dictate the pace and exploit gaps in his defense.
Insights from Glover Teixeira
Pereira and Ankalaev will meet again at UFC 320 on October 4. Glover Teixeira, a former UFC light heavyweight champion and longtime coach of Pereira, shared his expectations for the rematch. Speaking on the Overdogs Brasil podcast with Renato Moicano and American Top Team coach Marcos da Matta, Teixeira highlighted Pereira’s readiness. “The first round will be brutal. He’ll come in with an aggressive attitude. This fight will be much more dynamic,” Teixeira said. He expects Pereira to press continuously and maintain high intensity throughout.
Confidence and Focus
Teixeira emphasized Pereira’s mental strength and preparation. “Mentally, some fighters are different. Poatan seems very confident and focused,” Teixeira explained. He added that the last three weeks of training will refine timing and strategy to maximize performance. According to Teixeira, Pereira is already prepared for a full five-round challenge, showing both physical readiness and strategic maturity.
