"I’ll never have a pic that goes this hard" - Fans react to snap of Alex Pereira seemingly guarded by security in South Korea

Alex Pereira’s globetrotting side quests have become a source of entertainment for MMA fans, and his recent visit to South Korea was no exception.

Fresh off a grueling year with three title defenses, the UFC light heavyweight champion took time to train with local talent and create viral moments. In a playful gym challenge, Pereira squared off with actor and former trainer Don Lee on a punching machine but was unexpectedly outscored by the 53-year-old.

Pereira’s sparring session with Asian Games medalist Kim Hyeong-kyu also went viral and sparked lively conversation between fans. Most recently, he shared a striking monochrome picture of himself at a restaurant seemingly guarded by VIP security officers according to their attire.

Fans reacted to the eye-catching image on Reddit thrilled by the visually engaging nature of the picture. They wrote:

"Looks like the guy mafia boss hires to kill somebody."

"Seriously does this guy even know how effortlessly cool he is?"

"We aren't here to protection him from you. We are here to protect you from him."

"Hardest picture of all time quite frankly"

"I’ll never have a pic that goes this hard"

"They're not guarding Alex, they're protecting Koreans from Alex."

Check out some of the comments below:

Fans react to a picture of Alex Pereira with South Korean security guards. [Screenshots from Reddit]

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Jamahal Hill previews potential clash between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev

With the landscape of the light heavyweight division heating up, a potential clash between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev has been drawing significant attention. Former UFC 205-pound champion Jamahal Hill, who has been vocal about his disdain for Ankalaev’s online antics, still acknowledges the Russian's strong claim for a title shot.

Ankalaev’s unbeaten streak, including a dominant win over Aleksandar Rakic, positions him as the most likely challenger for Pereira. Hill, set to return to the octagon in 2025 after recovering from an injury, believes Ankalaev's counter-attacking style poses a significant challenge to Pereira.

Previewing the fight in a recent interview with Inside Fighting, Hill said:

“Alex is a forward, pressure fighter…leaves himself exposed to counters. Ankalaev counters with combinations, so there will be openings for him there to land. Plus, Ankalaev’s a southpaw, so that’s another factor of the puzzle that he’s going to have to figure out…I give Ankalaev a big chance at winning it, just because of the style he fights…he draws things out.”

Check out Jamahal Hill's comments below (5:45):