I almost lost my voice. I was screaming like a maniac from the very first 1-2 Alex threw after 1 sec ha ha. I was so sick of all the comments that Alex had no chance. Now, I didn’t expect THAT of course ha ha, but even though the bell saved Alex at the end of round 2, I was one that had him winning 48-47. Anyway, nothing to justify saying he had no chance! WTF
Ankalaev - or the one(s) writing from him - had REALLY pissed off Alex AND Jiri. Jiri even mentioned it after the event, as if he was gunning for him instead of Alex. In fact, he cried of joy for Pereira’s victory. What a strange unique dude ha ha.
Sometimes high-level pro-fighters are so used to the feeling out process and the high-stakes chess match that is high-level fighting, they completely become a deer in headlights when someone just turns it into a street and charges forward with 100% forward pressure and reckless abandon.
Someone like Alex can do that bc of his knockout power. But at the same time, this could have very well been a Masvidal/Askren moment for Pereira, imo.
Ankalaev still looked composed and seemed to be more disappointed with himself than anything else.
I think big ank got caught up in his own hype, an thought he legit beat up a prime poatan, when Alex was clearly off, corona an busted left hand, then ol Alex was like