'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Zhilei Zhang, believes UFC light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, has the power to compete effectively in boxing. Zhang's comments come after he shared a four-round sparring session with Pereira last year, getting a firsthand look at the Brazilian's punching prowess.
Pereira, a former middleweight champion, solidified his dominance at 205lbs by knocking out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 last month. This victory has fueled speculation about a potential move to boxing in the heavyweight division.
While Pereira is currently set to defend his light heavyweight title potentially against Magomed Ankalaev in December, he has expressed interest in a potential move to the squared circle.
Zhang, who recently scored a knockout win over former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, is confident Pereira's power can translate to the heavyweight division.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the latest edition of The MMA Hour, the boxer said:
"He’s [Alex Pereira] a good boxer. I can tell you he has good reflections, he has good speed and good power. I watch him fight a lot, in UFC, he kind of dominates everybody standing, and striking. I think he has it... I think he has the power to translate to heavyweight [boxing].”
Check out Zhilei Zhang's comment below:
Magomed Ankalaev vows to shut down Alex Pereira's knockout streak
Light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev is looking to spoil Alex Pereira's perfect run of knockouts when they meet in the octagon. 'Poatan' has finished his last three fights in under two rounds, successfully defending the light heavyweight title in his most recent outing.
Ankalaev, riding a 12-fight winning streak, isn't fazed by Pereira's power. In a recent interview with Aslanbek Badaev, he confidently predicted Pereira won't even land a clean shot on him:
"Many experts understand that I can easily beat Pereira. I think with his speed, he won't touch me at all. The most he can do is hit me with a low kick. I want to beat him up. I just want to attack him, just show him that I'm better than him."
Check out Magomed Ankalaev's comment below:
