Dustin Jacoby knows Alex Pereira perhaps better than anyone, having shared the ring with the future UFC champion in GLORY Kickboxing.
While there's still hope that they'll one day fight again in MMA, Jacoby marvels at how quickly Pereira has risen through the UFC — he's already won titles in two divisions in just 12 fights — and it seems almost incredible given Pereira's overall lack of experience and the perception that his wrestling and grappling aren't anywhere near elite level.
That was commentary from veteran light heavyweight contender and frequent UFC commentator Anthony Smith, who continues to be impressed with Pereira's growing list of accolades despite him remaining a one-dimensional fighter.
“I stand by everything I said,” Smith told MMA Fighting in April.[Daniel Cormier] Like I always say, how is this guy still winning matches? Yeah, I hear the same thing, because it just doesn't make sense! His skill set is very limited. He's very, very dangerous at one thing, but mediocre at other things. … I'm not saying that in a bad way. It's impressive.
Jacoby agrees with Smith, as he too has been amazed at how Pereira continues to dominate his opponents, including a knockout win over Jamahal Hill in his first 205-pound title defense to close out a historic UFC 300 card.
“It's really unbelievable,” Jacoby told MMA Fighting. “I'm a big fan of Alex Pereira, but there are a lot of guys in the 185-pound division. He came into the UFC at 185, but he's not in the 205-pound division. [pounds] Under MMA rules, you'd think he'd be able to beat him, but he keeps proving us wrong and knocking everybody out. I'm amazed.
“I know he's a great fighter, one of the best strikers in the world, no, the best striker in the world. His left hook is unreal. His striking, his timing, his power. But you can't say there's no one like him. [Khamzat] Chimaev feels like he's going to go in there and grab him and throw him down.”
Pereira is upset by Smith's criticism, but Jacoby promises he meant nothing maliciously.
But Pereira makes no attempt to hide the fact that he has used one extremely dominant weapon while also looking to evolve other parts of his overall MMA arsenal.
“It's amazing what he's done and what he's done in such a short amount of time,” Jacoby said. “I'm a big Pereira fan, but I think there are some guys in every weight class who, with the right strategy and on the right night, can beat him.”
Smith had previously welcomed the chance to face Pereira and do whatever he wanted, but the conversation almost always returned to grappling, which is seen as the Brazilian's weakness.
It remains to be seen if the two will ever meet, but Jacoby predicts Pereira would be in for a rough time if he were to actually take Smith to the ground in a grappling or combat match.
“It's crazy,” Jacoby said. “I don't understand. People don't understand how good a guy like Anthony's jiu-jitsu is. Training with a guy like that is the worst. It's like lying under a wet blanket and you're suffocating the whole time.”
“Can Pereira knock out Anthony? Absolutely, I think he can knock out anybody, but Anthony's a guy too. If he just goes in there, throws punches, takes him to the ground and tries to bring him into his world, I think Anthony will win that fight for sure.”
With or without world-class grappling, Pereira continues to dominate the UFC, and Jacoby knows that deserves a standing ovation.
Still, that doesn't mean Smith is wrong.
“I give him credit, but Anthony is right,” Jacoby said. “I don't think he's criticizing him, I think it's more of a sign of respect.” [thing]my respects to him.”
