Alex Pereira (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Leading up to their title fight tonight at UFC 295, Jiri Prochazka has argued that Alex Pereira is an incomplete fighter. But, according to the decorated striker, he welcomes Prochazka and others questioning his martial arts skills.

Prochazka and Pereira are going to battle for the vacant light-heavyweight title in the main event, which will be the latter’s third title fight since he joined the UFC in 2021. As UFC 295 approached, Prochazka acknowledged the world-class striking of Pereira, but he also argued “Poatan” is “not good” in the other areas of MMA.

More recently, Pereira responded to Prochazka’s claim and reported he’s just fine if opponents underestimate his abilities (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“Not only him, but everyone who fights me think that way,” Pereira said on the Trocação Franca podcast. “I wish their words were honest, that they really thought that way, because sometimes people get frustrated.

“Maybe [Jan] Blachowicz got frustrated a little bit, he thought it was going to be too easy to get my back and submit me because I’m not a jiu-jitsu guy, but I train really hard and I’m evolving, you know? I’m training with Glover and I know how hard it is for Glover to try a submission on me, to submit me. When [my opponent] comes with that mindset that I know nothing on the ground, that’s great for me.”

Tonight’s fight will be Pereira’s second at light-heavyweight since he joined the UFC. After losing the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya in April, Pereira (8-2) recorded a split decision win over former light heavyweight champ, Jan Blachowicz, in July.

Prochazka (29-3-1), meanwhile, hasn’t fought since June 2022, when he won the light-heavyweight title by submitting Glover Teixeira. The former RIZIN champ injured his shoulder later that year and vacated the belt.

UFC 295 will be hosted by Madison Square Garden in New York City.