Daniel Cormier shoots for a takedown on Alex Pereira as he tests out the Brazilian's grappling ahead of title defense at UFC 307

10/03/2024 02:55 PM

Daniel Cormier opted to shoot for a takedown on Alex Pereira when he bumped into him ahead of UFC 307, forcing ‘Poatan’ to show off his defensive grappling.

While renowned for his kickboxing, the striker had a few moves up his sleeve when ‘DC’ put his wrestling to the test.

Daniel Cormier shoots for cheeky takedown on Alex Pereira

On Saturday evening, Alex Pereira will attempt to defend his world championship belt against Khalil Rountree at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

The match-up looks guaranteed to excite, with both fighters famed for their explosive knockout victories.

However, before he gets the opportunity to add ‘The War Horse’ to his highlight reel, the 205-pound King first had to overcome the takedown attempts of Daniel Cormier.

When the pair crossed paths ahead of the major event this weekend, DC couldn’t resist having a playful grapple with the man who now reigns over the division he once conquered.

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Footage uploaded by the UFC showed that after shaking hands, Cormier quickly controlled Pereira’s wrist, before shooting for his leg, much to the amusement of the people watching on.

Unwilling to lose the battle, the former Glory champion dropped what he was holding and defended the takedown.

The American said, ‘Strong now’, before going in for his second effort, which prompted Pereira to pretend to throw a knee.

A concerned Cormier laughed: “No knees.”

Sean Strickland explains why he hates sparring with Alex Pereira

While Pereira can wrestle, it’s nowhere near his favorite method of fighting, with the 37-year-old much preferring to finish his opponents with his array of punches and kicks.

And one man who’s fallen foul to his devastating left hook is none other than Sean Strickland.

However, rather than holding a grudge against the man who beat him, the American is instead training with him in a bid to hone his craft.

But Strickland admits that he hates sparring Pereira because of his trademark punch, with recent footage showing that the Brazilian hero is still finding a home for his most powerful shot.

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