Alex Pereira may have risen to star status in the UFC, but he’s still not at the level to convince Dana White that a crossover boxing match would be a good idea.
Pereira is currently in Utah gearing up for his latest defense of the light heavyweight title, which headlines the UFC 307 pay-per-view at Salt Lake City’s Delta Center this Saturday night.
But while his reign and dominance in the cage continues, the former middleweight kingpin has also had his eyes elsewhere in recent times.
During an interview with Kevin Iole, “Poatan” commented on White’s recent revelation regarding a move into the boxing realm. The UFC CEO warned the sport that he’s coming in “guns blazing,” and it sounds like Pereira wants to be on the front lines.
“Honestly, man, I feel very good about this (White’s boxing venture),” Pereira said. “I like boxing. I’ve wanted to fight boxing and I’ve been saying this for a while. In the next few days, I’m going to release video footage of me sparring the best heavyweight boxer in Brazil, it was a few years ago but I believe I am much better now.”
He later reiterated that sentiment while speaking to The Schmo.
“Absolutely I want to express my will to go boxing one day,” Pereira stated. “I think that this partnership of the UFC and boxing is a very good thing going for the sport.”
Unfortunately for the Brazilian, it would appear that White is not convinced…
White Once Again Shares ‘Hatred’ For Crossover Fights Amid Pereira’s Boxing Tease
During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, White was asked for his take on Pereira’s ambitions in the ring and whether his planned entry into boxing promotion could lead to the Brazilian having his wish granted.
“I don’t know. I mean, when you look at where he’s at right now in his career, he’s at the top of this game, he’s about to break (Ronda Rousey’s) record if he wins the fight on Saturday night, and God knows what other records he could break here,” White said. “He’s 38 years old, which is even more impressive when you add that on top of anything else.
“I don’t know (about boxing). I’m not even thinking about that kind of stuff,” White continued. “I’m not thinking about crossover fights. I hate crossover fights. I respect the fact that he wants to do it. I know there’s tons of other fighters that probably want to do it. But I want everybody to stay in their own lane.”
For now, Pereira has business to attend to inside the Octagon.
And should he extend his reign beyond the threat of Rountree this weekend, a possible middleweight return to challenge Dricus du Plessis has been teased. Meanwhile, the likes of Magomed Ankalaev continue to push for a shot at his 205-pound gold, leaving “Poatan” with plenty of options in MMA.
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