MMA Preview – Alex Pereira vs Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268
ALEX PEREIRA VS ANDREAS MICHAILIDIS FACTS
When is UFC 268? Sunday 7th November, 2021 - 00:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 268? Madison Square Garden, New York (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 268? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 268
What channel is UFC 268 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 268? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ALEX PEREIRA VS ANDREAS MICHAILIDIS LOWDOWN
The man famous for knocking out Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira (3-1) makes his entrance to the UFC. The decorated kickboxer is still duking it out in the ring and is coming off a fight for Glory back in September. He was defending his light heavyweight title against Artem Vakhitov but lost the rematch via unanimous decision. While he has been compiling his impressive kickboxing record of 33-7, he has dipped his toe in the MMA waters. He suffered a submission loss on his professional debut for Jungle Fight in 2015. Responded with two TKO’s for the promotion the following year and did not have another MMA fight until last year when he starched Thomas Powell for the Legacy Fighting Alliance.
Andreas Michailidis (13-4) welcomes him to the big time, and he is coming off his first UFC win. He made his debut last year up at light heavyweight and took a beating from Modestas Bukauskas unable to make it to the second round. He then dropped down to his natural weight class at 185 lbs and picked up a rare but comfortable decision over KB Bhullar.
ALEX PEREIRA VS ANDREAS MICHAILIDIS PREDICTION
It was a solid performance from Michailidis but a unanimous decision over KB Bhullar is not going to worry the middleweight division. In fairness, nothing will worry Pereira, particularly on the feet so Michailidis needs to get this fight to the floor.
The Greek is a good striker himself but trading with an accomplished kickboxer with a four-inch height and reach advantage is a recipe for disaster. Pereira also has venomous power so unless Michailidis can take him down, we fully expect a knockout.
Pereira has brilliant footwork and he will need to constantly move to avoid the takedown. He has also been training with the new light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira and has focused solely on his grappling and takedown defence which is perfect preparation.
A Michailidis submission is worth a small punt considering the odds, but we expect the Brazilian’s size, speed and power to create the space to find a lethal knockout.
Prediction: Pereira via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Michailidis via Submission
