Alex Pereira was put on the fast track as soon as he signed on the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s dotted line a little less than a year ago. The reason was simple. The Brazilian holds two victories against current UFC middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya as a kickboxer, including a brutal one-punch knockout in 2017.
“We’re doing all we can to get to the title,” Pereira told Sherdog.com. “My goal was to become champion when I joined the organization. I’m doing everything I can to make that happen.”
Before he can zero in on Adesanya inside the Octagon, the Teixeira MMA rep must get past the latest obstacle being placed in front of him: a UFC 276 middleweight showcase against Sean Strickland on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.