- Quemuel Ottoni remains the only fighter who has beaten Alex Pereira in MMA
- Ottoni predicted how he would edge “Poatan” again if they ever do a rematch
Reigning UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira has arguably become the most intriguing fighter in the promotion. After beating Israel Adesanya, 3-0 in all their bouts across the board, “Poata” has gained quite a reputation and many believe nobody has come up with a strategy to stop him.
However, PFL’s new signing Quemel Ottoni, who is also the only fighter to defeat Pereira in MMA, begged to disagree.
Same thing, different day
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Ottoni was quizzed to comment about Pereira and his sudden rise to MMA superstardom. According to Ottoni, his old rival did a great job packing in some weight, but other than that, he doesn’t see anything in the UFC middleweight champ’s arsenal that could stop him if they happen to fight again.
Ottoni beat Pereira via third-round rear-naked submission at Jungle Fight 82 in 2015. If they are to clash once again, Ottoni is confident, if anything, he would finish “Poatan” quicker than the first time.
“The one thing honestly I’d say is [Pereira] definitely got heavier,” Ottoni pointed out. “He built a bigger frame around him and redistributed weight in a better form, but I think that’s it really, I wouldn’t really put much else on his side. I see his his jiu-jitsu as something limited and in saying that I’ll transition to myself… I feel like my jiu-jitsu has improved leaps and certain positions that I found myself in while fighting against him, I would have taken care of business much earlier if I was fighting him today. As well as my boxing, I feel like my boxing, my stand-up striking has improved a lot as well.”
Focused on his own career
The Brazilian is set to compete in PFL’s upcoming season after earning a spot in the promotion with a welterweight title fight win against Jose Diaz in May. While his name will always be linked to Pereira, Ottoni stressed that he came to the U.S. to pursue his own dreams and it has nothing to do with old foe.
“It didn’t really have anything to do with Pereira. It was more of chasing my dream. I’ve always wanted to fight in the U.S.,” Ottoni explained. “… Even better with such a great organization like the PFL.”
“All I can tell you is stay tuned,” he added. “There’s definitely more to come as far as my ceiling in the sport and what I’m going to accomplish.”
Ottoni, who holds a pro MMA record of 12-3, will be featured at PFL’s Challenger Series on January 27. Pereira, meanwhile, is yet to be booked for his first title defense but is open for a rematch with Adesanya.