"That's a dangerous move" - Alex Pereira's former kickboxing rival questions Jamahal Hill's decision to confront the Brazilian at UFC PI
Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill had a confrontation at the UFC Performance Institute (PI) that went viral and a previous kickboxing adversary of the Brazilian has offered up his thoughts on the footage. Dustin Jacoby prepares to do battle this weekend at the final UFC event of the calendar year.
Jacoby will clash with Vitor Petrino at UFC Tampa in a light heavyweight matchup on Dec. 14. 'The Hanyak' is also a decorated kickboxer and clashed with Pereira within that ruleset in the Glory kickboxing ring over a decade ago in Zagreb.
When discussing the clip of Hill and Pereira getting tense at the UFC PI, Jacoby said:
"I don't know, man. It's like I don't know why Jamahal would go in there. If I'm him, I just don't go right up to him. You settle your differences in the octagon. He had his opportunity. He'll probably get another opportunity if he continues to do well. But Pereira, man, he's just, again, another gamer. A guy that's like alright you want to talk?"
Jacoby added:
"Here you go, here's the gloves, let's go in here [laughs]. I think that's a dangerous move too, man. Pereira is obviously one of the best to do it. One of the best strikers there's ever been in the UFC with amazing power. So if that fight happens again I can see Pereira doing the same thing, you know, same outcome."
Check out Dustin Jacoby's thoughts on the Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill UFC PI altercation below:
Jamahal Hill responds to his altercation with Alex Pereira at UFC PI
Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill have no love lost between them following 'Poatan's' first-round knockout over Hill at UFC 300 to defend his light heavyweight belt in April. In the wake of their recent interaction at the UFC PI blowing up online, Hill has come out to indicate he is not bothered by how some on the internet are interpreting the footage.
The 37-year-old champion will not be the immediate next opponent for Hill as he has his next fight lined up, but 'Sweet Dreams' clearly wants Pereira inside the cage again. That next chance may manifest itself into reality with a strong win as Hill is set to fight former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311 on Jan. 18.
In a recent interview with Helen Lee, Hill said he had no intention to fight for free and was simply engaging in some competitive talk with 'Poatan'.
Some took Hill not picking up the gloves that Pereira threw at his feet as being averse to fighting. The former UFC light heavyweight champion said this wasn't the case and that he is simply looking to collect a check with Pereira for a desired rematch under the bright lights of the UFC octagon someday.
Check out the interview below (2:56):