Donovan Wisse explains how he would beat Alex Pereira

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Alex Pereira is set to return at the White House in June, with a chance to make history on the line.

Pereira is stepping up to heavyweight, aiming to become the first UFC fighter to win titles in three separate divisions.

He’s already been a champion at middleweight and light heavyweight, both in the UFC and during his GLORY days. After June 14, he says there’s no intention of moving back down.

A fighter who was often compared to ‘Poatan’ throughout his rise is now hoping to follow a similar path after their matchup failed to materialise.

Donovan Wisse says Alex Pereira’s size would have worked against him

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Donovan Wisse took over the GLORY middleweight title after Alex Pereira gave it up to move up a division, and he’s held onto it ever since.

Wisse has built a solid run of his own, with his time as champion already lasting more than 400 days longer than Pereira’s stint in the same role.

The current titleholder, who returns at GLORY 107 on April 25, recently told Bloody Elbow he believes ‘Poatan’s size would have been an issue for him had they fought.

“If we would have fought, it would be two different styles. He’s got the power, I’m more technical. I would have a game plan for him,” he said. “I think the weight cut would take a toll on him, especially in the later rounds and for his chin. I would catch him. I think I would catch him in the later rounds.”

Originally set to fight for the vacant light heavyweight belt on April 25 – a chance to follow in Pereira’s footsteps – Wisse will instead defend his middleweight crown against welterweight champ Chico Kwasi due to Bahram Rajabzadeh’s injury.

At 29 years old, Wisse is already looking beyond kickboxing for what comes next in his career, showing that he has plans outside of just staying put in one discipline.

Donovan Wisse preparing for transition to MMA in the next two years

Wisse, like Pereira, is looking to make the move over to MMA and he’s already started getting ready for it.

He told Bloody Elbow that he expects to fight three more times in GLORY this year and three again next year before making the switch.

Wisse added that he’s already begun adding MMA work into his training schedule between fight camps.

He holds kickboxing wins over two fighters currently on the UFC middleweight roster – Cesar Almeida and Yousri Belgaroui – who have a combined 5-2 record inside the Octagon.

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