Glover Teixeira says moving to heavyweight will be “no problem” for Alex Pereira as the UFC legend talks about training with Poatan

For Alex Pereira, the move to heavyweight would be “no problem”

Speaking to RG.org, Teixeira explained that when Alex Pereira signed his contract with the UFC, he already knew that it would not be long before “Poatan” became world champion in this organization.

“I told people that because of his athletic ability, his strength and his coachability, he would be a UFC champion within a year. He’s a guy who listens and he has no ego… I was absolutely right about that.”

But even as the two began their shared journey to gold and glory in the UFC, it was clear to the martial arts veteran that Pereira would continue to gain weight as he transitioned from pure kickboxing training to mixed martial arts.

“We talked about it from the beginning – I told him, ‘You’re going to get bigger through wrestling training and at some point you’re going to have to move up. [to light heavyweight].’ That’s a lot of weight [to cut to 185lbs]and he didn’t have much to lose [as] he is very slim.”

Should Alex Pereira continue his winning streak at light heavyweight and defeat Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in October, there will likely be more calls for the Brazilian superstar to try another move up, this time to the heavyweight division.

“I think I feel comfortable now with 205 [pounds]happy with the weight loss,” Teixeira noted, before admitting that Pereira could achieve similar title success in a third division.

“But I’m also happy if he moves up – I think he has the potential to beat anyone in the heavyweight division… The guy is a beast, man. He has the power of a heavyweight, he hits like a heavyweight. So it won’t be a problem.”

Teixeira explains what his coaching dynamic is like with Alex Pereira

Glover Teixeira, who never overlooks someone as dangerous as Rountree, also gave a brief insight into the training camp ahead of UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“We are preparing for everything… Rountree is a good fighter. We know who he is. [he’s a] tough guy, very good fighter… To be honest, it’s not much different from the other fights because anything can happen… So it’s pretty much the same training for Jamahal Hill or Jiri Prochazka.”

When asked about the dynamic of being both coach and friend to Pereira, the fan-favorite veteran explained that it had all been “very natural” and he didn’t have to think about how it might affect their bond.

“I have no choice but to think about it, you know? I’ve already been a coach. It’s never, ‘Oh shit, I have to train Alex, the biggest star in the UFC right now.’ We’re just like two guys training here.

“I understand a lot of his background and the same stupid jokes. So we said something we always said as kids or something, and it always brought back memories. We hit it off immediately.

“At the end of the day, it’s just a bunch of friends training in the garage, having fun, doing the right thing and conquering the world.”

As RG.org reporter Erik Uebelacker aptly noted, “Despite his recent success, Teixeira still doesn’t take it all too seriously,” as he explained, “Sometimes I train with a beer in my hand.”

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