Alex Pereira trains with the President of Karate Combat. With so many people helping him, will he be able to win?

UFC Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is in full-on training mode as he prepares for his fourth title defense at UFC 313. The Brazilian powerhouse, known for his precision striking and knockout power, has been fine-tuning his skills against a unique training partner—Karate Combat president Asim Zaidi, also known as “President Awesome.”

Pereira’s meteoric rise in the UFC began when he made his debut on November 7, 2021. His kickboxing pedigree translated seamlessly into MMA, allowing him to quickly climb the ranks. He first captured UFC gold by knocking out his longtime rival Israel Adesanya at UFC 281. Though he lost their rematch, Pereira rebounded by moving up to Light Heavyweight, where he found immediate success. He won the title by defeating Jiří Procházka at UFC 295 and has since solidified his dominance with three successful title defenses—dispatching Jamahal Hill, Jiří Procházka (rematch), and Khalil Rountree Jr.

Inside the Training Camp: Sparring with “President Awesome”

With UFC 313 set for March 8, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pereira is leaving no room for error as he prepares to face one of his toughest challenges yet—Magomed Ankalaev. The Russian contender, currently the #1-ranked light heavyweight fighter, has been on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, proving himself as one of the division’s most dangerous threats. His last fight, a dominant win over Aleksandar Rakić in October 2024, secured his long-awaited title shot.

As part of his training regimen, Pereira shared a video on his YouTube channel featuring an intense sparring session with Asim Zaidi, a former fighter turned Karate Combat president. Zaidi also teased the session on his Instagram, posting an electrifying caption:

“Champion vs. President—Who’s ready to see the sparring video?”

Pereira’s decision to train with a karate-based fighter could be a strategic move to refine his defensive footwork and striking versatility ahead of the highly unpredictable Ankalaev.

A Reigning Light Heavyweight King

Since moving up from middleweight, Pereira has dominated the light heavyweight division with his fearsome knockout ability and elite striking precision. His kickboxing experience makes him one of the most feared strikers in MMA today. With three title defenses already under his belt, he has dismantled many of the division’s top contenders.

However, Ankalaev presents a unique challenge. Unlike Pereira’s previous opponents, the Russian standout is a well-rounded fighter with elite-level wrestling, grappling, and striking. If Ankalaev can take the fight to the ground, he may force Pereira into unfamiliar territory.

The clash of styles makes this fight one of the most intriguing matchups in recent memory. Will Pereira’s raw knockout power reign supreme once again, or will Ankalaev’s suffocating wrestling be the key to dethroning the champ?

UFC 313: A Must-Watch Event

Beyond the Pereira vs. Ankalaev title fight, UFC 313 delivers another blockbuster showdown in the co-main event: a lightweight war between former interim champion Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker.