Sharabutdin Magomedov's coach calls him "more exciting than Alex Pereira" as a fighter, MMA community disagrees: "Even Shara will not agree"

Alex Pereira was recently compared to surging UFC middleweight Sharabutdin Magomedov by the latter's coach. Gor Azizyan took part in a brief sitdown with Red Corner MMA, where he issued a bold statement, branding Magomedov, his pupil, as a more exciting fighter than Pereira.

It is a curious statement given Pereira's position as the UFC light heavyweight champion, who has been on a recent tear and fighting more frequently than anyone else on the roster, even while injured. Yet, Azizyan maintains his confidence in his assessment.

"If we're being fair, Shara is more exciting than Alex Pereira. Shara's striking is more dynamic. Alex Pereira doesn't have that technique, knees, elbows, heels, hands, low kicks, high kicks, and the frequency. Shara can land 60 low kicks, 30 middle and 10 high kicks in one fight."

Check out Gor Azizyan praising Sharabutdin Magomedov:

It is a bizarre statement given that besides Pereira's trademark left hook, he knocked out Andreas Michailidis with a flying knee, often compromises his foes with his patented, sneaky low kicks, TKO'd Jiří Procházka with elbows, and knocked him out again in a rematch with a switch kick.

Azizyan's statement was reposted by MMA Orbit on X/Twitter, and fans were less than impressed.

One fan claimed that even Magomedov himself would disagree with his coach's assessment.

"Even Shara will not agree"

Another fan pointed out Magomedov's struggles with finishing his foes in the UFC.

"Bro just went to decision lmao reeeeelax"

Others acknowledged Magomedov's entertainment value but dismissed the notion that he is more exciting than Pereira.

"He's fun, but nowhere near as entertaining as Alex Pereira"

Some outright scoffed at the notion.

"Be for real please"

A collage of fan reactions can be seen below:

Fan reactions to Gor Azizyan's statement

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Alex Pereira's finishing rate explored

In terms of entertainment, Alex Pereira is among the most impressive fighters on the UFC roster. Since 2021, the light heavyweight champion has already competed in 10 fights in the promotion and has only gone to decision twice, finishing seven of the nine opponents he's beaten.

Only Bruno Silva and Jan Błachowicz dragged 'Poatan' to a decision. Israel Adesanya, meanwhile, is the only one who has managed to beat him in the UFC, knocking him out in round two of their MMA rematch.