Fans appreciate "GOAT of Everything" Jon Anik after the commentator's thorough explanation of how to pronounce Alex Pereira
MMA fans have reacted to a post from UFC commentator Jon Anik, who explained the correct pronunciation of middleweight contender Alex Pereira's name.
Pereira headlines his first UFC pay-per-view when he faces champion Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title this weekend. The pair have fought twice previously during their time as professional kickboxers. 'Poatan' won both fights, the first by decision and the second via a left hook KO. The knockout loss is the only time Adesanya has been finished in his kickboxing and MMA careers.
Prior to this weekend's main event, Anik took to Twitter to educate fans who may have been pronouncing the Brazilian challenger's name wrong:
"PSA: Pereira is pronounced pah-RAY-rah, ideally with rolled R's. But most important... there is no 'H' sound. It is not Pah-HAY-rah. If you can't roll the R's or don't want to, just make sure you utter the hard 'R' on both syllables. Oh. And it's ah-LEX. Not AL-ix."
PSA: Periera is pronounced pah-RAY-rah, ideally with rolled R’s.
But most importantly…there is no ‘H’ sound. It is not Pah-HAY-rah. If you can’t roll the R’s or don’t want to, just make sure you utter the hard ‘R’ on both syllables. Oh. And it’s ah-LEX. Not AL-ix. 🇧🇷😏
MMA fans have reacted to the post from Anik, with one fan tagging former fighter Chael Sonnen, explaining that 'The American Gangster' often pronounces the name wrong:
"I love Chael, but I'm gonna go ahead and tag him here. He keeps saying Pee-yair-uh. All love! @ChaelSonnen"
🏽 @ChaelSonnen@Jon_Anik I love Chael, but I'm gonna go ahead and tag him here. He keeps saying Pee-yair-uh🤭🤭 All love 😄👊🏽 @ChaelSonnen
Another fan suggested that Jon Anik is the greatest at absolutely everything he does:
"Goat of everything."
@Jon_Anik Goat of everything.
Twitter user @CapuchinKid thanked Anik for doing his research and praised him for being the best in the business:
"Jon proving once again homework pays dividends and he's the best in business.. class now in session!"
@Jon_Anik Jon proving once again homework pays dividends and he's the best in the business.. class is now in session!
Check out more fan reactions below:
@Jon_Anik Jon out here schooling folks.
@Jon_Anik This is why you’re the best big dog!!!
@Jon_Anik Thanks Jon!
@Jon_Anik You may be a little OCD Jon Anik
@Jon_Anik I am from Brazil and can affirm this is correct. Good job, sir!👍
@Jon_Anik This dude has one of the easier names in the UFC but because it looks easy some folks manage to really butcher it.
@Jon_Anik Apologies/appreciate you clarifying this! 😅
@Jon_Anik This is awesome
@Jon_Anik Clarification is key
@Jon_Anik Thanks. I've always pronounced it "BAD-as Mow-Fow."
Aljamain Sterling predicts Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira
Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling recently weighed in on UFC 281's main event between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira.
'Funk Master' praised 'Poatan' for the skill he possesses and his devastating knockout power. Sterling believes, however, that Adesanya's speed and experience in the octagon is going to be the biggest factor in the fight.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Sterling ultimately decided that he was leaning towards 'The Last Stylebender' due to his fight IQ and awareness, but knows Alex Pereira has a puncher's chance:
"I just think he's gonna be a little too slow for Adesanya but he's always going to have that great equalizer which is the knockout punch... I think he has a puncher's chance but Izzy [Israel Adesanya] should be able to see those punches coming from a mile away. I don't think he [Alex Pereira] is the fastest guy. I think Izzy's gonna have great awareness."
Catch the video here: