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The reigning UFC light heavyweight champion left no doubts about his prowess, delivering a breathtaking first-round knockout to defend his title against Jamahal Hill.
The climax of the fight came after a moment of drama when Pereira signaled to referee Dean following a low blow. Yet, in a matter of seconds, he unleashed a devastating left hook that sent Hill crashing to the canvas, his eyes rolling back as Pereira swiftly followed up with a flurry of blows. Referee Dean intervened, halting the bout at 3:14 in the opening round.
Speaking after the win, Pereira remarked, "You guys can see what I was doing in there. I told everyone the whole time, he’s a strong guy. I cannot go away from my strategy. That’s exactly what I was doing. Everything went perfectly."
Pereira's flawless performance saw him emerge virtually unscathed, save for a couple of inside leg kicks from Hill. Both fighters demonstrated mutual respect, cognizant that a single mistake could turn the tide of the match.
Looking ahead, Pereira expressed interest in defending his title, initially aiming for a quick turnaround at UFC 301 in Brazil. However, he surprised many by suggesting a move to heavyweight, presenting an intriguing proposition for the UFC.
"I want to continue defending this belt," Pereira stated. "I talked a lot about fighting in Brazil if I won this fight. I won this fight, I’m not hurt, nothing happened. I want to have a fight at heavyweight."
As the legend of Alex Pereira continues to unfold, the MMA world eagerly awaits his next move, intrigued by the prospect of his journey into the heavyweight division.