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Sean Strickland has sparred with both Francis Ngannou and Alex Pereira while preparing for UFC 328. He was asked which fighter posed a tougher challenge in training.
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Sean Strickland has trained with several dangerous fighters throughout his UFC career while preparing for major championship bouts.
For instance, the former middleweight champion sparred both ex-UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou and Alex Pereira, who recently vacated the light heavyweight title before officially moving to heavyweight.
Ahead of UFC 328 this Saturday, Strickland was asked during a press conference which fighter represented the tougher sparring challenge between the two devastating knockout artists.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Strickland admitted the comparison was difficult before ultimately explaining why he believes Pereira creates more problems inside sparring sessions despite Ngannouâs incredible natural power.
The 35-year-old American said: âThatâs a hard one, dude. Alex [is the tougher sparring partner], and this is why Alex is going to excel so much in the heavyweights, because heavyweights are fââ heavyweights.
âAlex isnât a heavyweight. Alex is a 205 lbs fighter with a heavyweight build that could be heavyweight and thatâs why heâs going to succeed so much, because youâre fighting in lower competition. Youâre faster, you hit harder,â Strickland added.
Stricklandâs comments run opposite to what many fighters and analysts usually believe regarding athletes moving from lighter divisions into heavyweight competition.
Natural heavyweights are often viewed as having a major advantage because they have spent their entire careers competing with larger body frames and natural physical strength.
Sean Strickland sparred with both Francis Ngannou and Alex Pereira in preparation for UFC 328.
Strickland's sparring partners, Ngannou and Pereira, are both known for their knockout power, making them valuable training partners for his upcoming fight.
UFC 328 is scheduled for this Saturday.
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There are also concerns that Pereira could lose some of his speed and explosiveness while carrying additional weight at heavyweight level.
That concern becomes even more relevant because interim title opponent Ciryl Gane is widely considered one of the quickest and most agile heavyweights currently competing in the UFC.
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