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Alex Pereira and Anthony Smith went from heated rivals, to frenemies, to best buds.
Ahead of his light heavyweight title defense against Khalil Rountree Jr. atop the UFC 307 pay-per-view (PPV) fight card this weekend in Salt Lake City, Pereira sat down with Smith to exchange pleasantries for ESPN MMA.
“I am thankful to you for reaching out,” Pereira told Smith. “Ever since you spoke to [coach] Glover [Teixeira], I don’t think there is any malice, there’s no bitterness about the back and forth that we had. Today, I’m much better. I feel really good.”
I’m sure it helps that Smith has dropped four of his last six and is no longer in a position to be talking about potential title shots — and championship callouts.
“Some people can’t imagine it because sometimes we talk a little bit of trash on the internet or even because of a rivalry,” Pereira said. “Even with people that I’ve already fought, I always try to bring close to me because I’m a guy who’s evolving. I think these people can help me and I make the most of it.”
Like former opponent Sean Strickland.
Smith, who returns against Dominick Reyes at UFC 310 in December, blamed “stupid fans” for taking his comments out of context. Not surprisingly, they remain unconvinced by the friendly interaction, insisting (in jest) that Pereira is “still scared” of “Lionheart.”
For much more on Pereira’s battle against Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 click here.
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LIVE! Watch UFC 307 PPV On ESPN+ Here!
Championship Doubleheader! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will stage a once-in-a-lifetime pay-per-view (PPV) extravaganza on Sat., Sept. 14, 2024, to honor Mexican Independence Day during Riyadh Season, an unlikely mashup topped by the Bantamweight main event between reigning champion, Sean O’Malley, and sliced-and-diced No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili. In UFC 306’s championship co-headliner, current Flyweight titleholder, Alexa Grasso, will settle her score with fellow Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 32 coach, Valentina Shevchenko, in the final fight of their epic 125-pound trilogy. UFC 306’s PPV main card (see it here) will also feature Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes, Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng, and so much more! It’s must-watch action from “Sin City!” UFC 306’s start time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (Prelims card) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 307 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPNN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 307: “Pereira vs. Rountree Jr.” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 307 fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.