Kevin Holland feels the rumoured fight between Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev could go two very different ways depending on how it starts. He highlighted the contrasting ways both fighters begin their bouts while explaining his take. Pereira isn’t exactly known for coming out of the gate swinging, while Chimaev is notorious for aggressive starts.
That could end up becoming the decisive factor if Pereira is unable to weather the early storm. Holland broke it down further while explaining how the fight was likely to progress.
“That is a tough one. It is an easy sale but a tough fight to call. Anything outside of round one, it is probably Pereira. Anything inside round one, it is probably Chimaev. I don’t think Pereira is the fastest starter so if Chimaev gets a hold of him, that sucks,” said Holland.
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Chimaev is known for low takedowns right from the start, something Pereira is not used to. The Brazilian’s opponents generally maintain a healthy distance, respecting Pereira’s KO power. Chimaev, being the madman that he is, won’t be too concerned with that.
Chimaev has finished five of his eight fights in the UFC in the first round. And therefore, it makes sense that Holland is backing him in the early rounds. However, Poatan does not fade as the fight goes on. Pereira’s fight against Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 and the one against Khail Rountree at UFC 309 stand testament to this.
While Holland is undecided on the outcome of the fight, a former opponent of Chimaev has a more clear answer on how it will play out.
Whittaker backs Chimaev to get the job done
Having faced Chimaev at UFC 308, getting submitted in the first round, Robert Whittaker knows what it is like to face the Russian. He sided with Chimaev while weighing in on the potential fight against Pereira.
“Chimaev wins… not easily, but I’d pick him,” Whittaker said.
He believes Chimaev’s grappling would be too much for Pereira. But there’s a catch. Whittaker pointed out that if Chimaev starts to slow down, Pereira could turn the tables fast and could make him pay heavily for any slip-ups.
“Pereira can fight while exhausted – he’ll destroy Chimaev on the feet,” Whittaker explained.
While nothing is official, Pereira has hinted at big moves outside the light heavyweight division, and Chimaev is inching closer to a middleweight title shot. If this fight happens, it’s guaranteed fireworks.
