Ex-UFC Champ Alex Pereira Scolds Anthony Smith in Long Rant
Former UFC middleweight champion Alex "Poatan" Pereira didn't take lightly to remarks made by Anthony "Lionheart" Smith.
READ: Anthony Smith Overcomes Ugly Injury to Defeat Ryan Spann at UFC Singapore
Smith made some bold statements about Pereira's light heavyweight debut during the pre-fight press conference for UFC Singapore on August 26:
"I think Alex had a little bit of an eye-opening moment..." Smith explained. "He's not the large, scary monster that he was at middleweight, he's [a] fairly normal dude."
Smith gave kudos to Pereira's striking pedigree and his conditioning, but heavily trivialized his physicality at the bigger weight class. He explained that Pereira isn't stronger or more explosive than fighters like Alexander Rakic and Magomed Ankalaev.
Pereira responded to Smith's remarks in a YouTube video on August 28, uncharacteristically insulting Smith in a lengthy rant:
"I always see [Smith] talking, especially about me," Pereira said. "...I don't know what he has against me. ...He relishes bashing other athletes because he has no clue what they go through."
Pereira explained how Smith should be able to be sympathetic to other fighters since he is one, before continuing his rant:
"...He has to give his two cents because he loves being in the spotlight," Pereira stated. "...No one talks about him so he spouts off nonsense just to get some screentime."
Pereira broke down why he believes Smith picks on him:
"Sometimes I wonder why he badmouths me, I've started to think about it. Here I am, a newcomer to the [UFC], enjoying all this success.
"...This guy is frustrated because I'm already making good money, going for another championship, entering another weight class and all eyes are now on me, and he's stuck in a rut.
"...The only ones who speak bad about me are Anthony Smith types --- washed up [veterans] who never amounted to anything. They're in a really tight spot or [are] still a nobody."
"Poatan" capped his rant by explaining that he doesn't like to use his platform to badmouth people, but that he was just telling the truth. The Brazilian kickboxer justified his frustration by pointing out that he'd beaten everyone he was put in front of. "Skill? Come on, I'm winning," Pereira rebuked.
READ: UFC Legend Questions Chris Weidman's Future After Devastating Setback
There's a slim chance Smith and Pereira ever meet in the octagon, but if they ever do, there will be some beef to squash.
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