Canadian martial artist Firas Zahabi is betting on Alex Pereira to win the vacant UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 295. According to Zahabi, Pereira’s Muay Thai skills will prevail in the bout, allowing him to Jiří Procházka.
Zahabi is known for his work with former MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre, who undoubtedly excelled in the field during his time. After winning titles in the welterweight and middleweight divisions, GSP made a remarkable mark, contributing to Zahabi’s fame as the fighter’s main coach for the rest of his career.
Now, Zahabi is sharing his thoughts about the upcoming fight between Pereira and Procházka. According to the Tristar Gym owner and head coach, the entire bout will be decided by the Muay Thai prowess of Pereira.
“I’m picking Pereira. My old Muay Thai trainer used to tell me: ‘Muay Thai always wins,'” Zahabi said in the gym’s recent YouTube video. “I think Pereira’s going to win the striking battle, too tenacious, he’s going to land the low kicks… Everybody he’s thought is pretty much a striker…yes, he out-wrestled Adesanya, but I think it was more of Adesanya being overwhelmed with the striking.”
Despite that, Zahabi is open about the possibility of Procházka having the chance and capability to defeat the opponent. “But there are a few things I’m worried about. Maybe Jiri will take Pereira down…and we find out Pereira isn’t really that good on the ground,” he said.
Procházka is also confident about the fight despite Glover Teixeira joining Pereira for some pieces of advice. Teixeira experienced firsthand the style of Procházka after losing to the Czech. Many believe that Teixeira’s advice would aid Pereira in winning the bout, but Procházka negated this.
“He can show him whatever, but after the fight with Glover, I changed myself like, totally, so that I’m a different style,” Procházka said. “I upgraded my style to another level. That’s what I want to show, that evolution of the style, that evolution of martial arts in me, this Saturday.”
