“It’s weird to see…” Alex Pereira bizarrely compared to Ben Askren by former champion as Brazilian quickly rises to top

Chris Weidman compares the wrestling skills of Alex Pereira to that of the striking skills of Ben Askren.

“It’s weird to see…” Alex Pereira bizarrely compared to Ben Askren by former champion as Brazilian quickly rises to top

Chris Weidman uses Ben Askren to describe the importance of Alex Pereira's success (Image via Imago/X )

Alex Pereira has accomplished something so incredible that it has the MMA world in awe. Former champion Chris Weidman recently talked about Pereira and what many people thought the Brazilian would achieve in his career. Despite having no wrestling background, Weidman felt ‘Poatan’ blew away all expectations.

Chris Weidman recently sat down for a conversation with Michael Bisping on the Believe You Me podcast. During their discussion, Weidman compared Alex Pereira to Ben Askren to properly illustrate the importance of Poatan’s achievement.

It’s almost like Ben Askren coming into the UFC and being able to just become a multiple-time champion with no hands. It’s like a striker looking at Ben Askren and thinking, ‘How the hell is this guy the world champion?’
Chris Weidman via Believe You Me podcast
YouTube video

Ben Askren had an incredible MMA career with arguably zero striking skills. However, Weidman pointed out that Askren was so good at wrestling that he could pull it off. Weidman said that Pereira was the opposite of this, with his wrestling just as bad as Ben Askren’s striking. However, Pereira would probably go down as one of the best fighters, which felt weird to Weidman.

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Alex Pereira reigned as a Glory champion in two weight classes during his run as a kickboxer. His run in the UFC is more impressive as he became a two-weight champion in fewer fights than anyone before him and did it without having any wrestling skills. As such, Pereira has impressed plenty of fans, fighters, and legends of the sport with his accomplishments.

Daniel Cormier talks about Alex Pereira’s wrestling skills

Alex Pereira’s rapid success has astonished one more UFC veteran. Daniel Cormier was surprised by how quickly Alex Pereira could climb the UFC ladder. After his performance at UFC 300, Cormier talked about Pereira’s lack of wrestling skills with another UFC legend, Chael Sonnen.

Daniel Cormier on Alex Pereira
Daniel Cormier on Alex Pereira (Image via Imago)

Daniel Cormier has a close friendship with Alex Pereira, and he claims that the light heavyweight champion cannot wrestle. Cormier said when they grab his leg, Pereira kind of falls without any defense. As such, Cormier was surprised by how Poatan could win championships at the top level despite having no grappling skills.

Cormier is an Olympic freestyle wrestler and NCAA Division I All-American, so he knows everything about wrestling. He is also a former double champion, but Pereira accomplished the same feat in fewer fights. Moreover, Pereira has the unique chance to go to the heavyweight division to challenge for the third belt. This would make him the first fighter in UFC history ever to accomplish such a feat and the first to win three belts if he succeeds.

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