Alex Pereira on Jamahal Hill: ‘You Cannot Compare Jamahal to Israel Adesanya’

“Israel is on a much higher level. You can’t even compare.”

Alex Pereira never expected to be the man headlining UFC 300.

For the majority of his professional career, his sole focus was kickboxing. Pereira built a legacy in the sport, then transitioned full-time to MMA. Since then, the results have been startling.

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

Pereira has collected wins in six of his seven UFC bouts, defeating the likes of Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, Jan Blachowicz, and Jiri Prochazka. He took the middleweight title from Adesanya. After dropping it back–and it is hard to believe there won’t be a trilogy bout between the two at some point–Pereira moved to light heavyweight, where he won his first two fights en route to winning another championship.

And that is how Pereira–a kickboxer at heart–ended up in the lucrative position of headlining UFC 300.

“This wasn’t my dream,” said Pereira, speaking through a translator. “I came in late to this sport. It wasn’t something I grew up watching. Realistically, I am a kickboxer. I’m learning the martial arts aspect as I go. I’m very happy to be in this position, but it wasn’t what I spent my life dreaming about.”

Alex Pereira and Glover Teixeira / Courtesy Zuffa LLC

Pereira defends the light heavyweight championship tomorrow against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300. While there is only limited history between the two, Hill (12-1, 1 NC) won the vacant light heavyweight title 15 months ago in a bout against Glover Teixeira. Hill’s precise striking battered and bruised Teixeira, who retired after the bout. This fight offers a chance at redemption, as Teixeira is a driving force on Pereira’s coaching staff.

“I respect Jamahal Hill,” said Pereira (9-2). “It’s nothing personal, no bad blood.”

A lot has changed since Hill defeated Teixeira. Last summer, Hill ruptured his Achilles tendon, leading to an extended stay on the injured list. Then Pereira arrived at light heavyweight, seizing control of the title Hill vacated.

Hill has an advantage in his striking. Pereira is well aware of that knockout power, but he does not believe this is the toughest challenge of his career. His two MMA bouts against Adesanya, he explained, were far more complicated.

“I’ll be real with you,” said Pereira. “I know anything can happen. Jamahal could win. But you cannot compare Jamahal to Israel Adesanya. Israel is so much more skilled.

“Anything can happen in a fight. Jamahal has the strength. But when it comes to technical skill, it’s Adesanya. He’s so dangerous. Israel is on a much higher level. You can’t even compare.”