Sean Strickland and Alex Pereira are it again.
It’s all respect between the former foes after their fight at UFC 276 ended in a first-round knockout win for the powerful Pereira. Two years later, the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion has crossed paths with Strickland once more – not in the UFC Octagon, but Strickland’s favorite place: the sparring room.
Strickland Still Blown Away By Pereira’s Power
Strickland and Pereira have trained together before, most notably last summer before Strickland became the UFC Middleweight Champion. This occasion, the two strikers met up at Blackhouse MMA for a sparring war like no other.
“Why do you punch so hard?!” Strickland said of his latest sparring session with Pereira on Instagram. “We gotta get a scientific study on this man’s power.. Great seeing you man!”
Strickland and Pereira clocked in almost six minutes of sparring footage (shared to Pereira’s Instagram story), trading shots on the feet, equally matched in the striking department. Strickland found a home for his teep kicks with Pereira landing big body shots and kicks in return. Pereira continued to work to the body while Strickland kept sticking Pereira with his jab, one of the American’s best weapons.
“Big motherf*****. I’m scared, guys, I’m scared…” Strickland said at the beginning of the video.
Pereira: “We Are Always Evolving”
In the final round of their sparring session, the former foes gave it all they had, exchanging punches in the pocket. Pereira, the former Glory Kickboxing Champion, mixed it up and surprisingly shot for a takedown on Strickland in the last 10 seconds. Strickland stuffed it and poured the pressure on Pereira before the alarm went off, marking end of their heavy striking battle.
“It’s always a pleasure to train with Brother!! We are always evolving!!” Pereira replied to Strickland on Instagram.
Sparring Footage
Catch Sean Strickland’s and Alex Pereira’s sparring session below, courtesy of Championship Rounds.
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/1816937979048525914
