With UFC 307 just around the corner, Alex Pereira is set to step into the octagon for the fourth time in an impressive 11-month span. Having already headlined against Jiri Prochazka twice and successfully defended his light-heavyweight title against Jamahal Hill, Pereira now faces his next challenge: Khalil Rountree Jr. But amid these high-profile matchups, one bout fans were eagerly anticipating over the summer never materialized—his clash with Anthony Smith.
Anthony Smith, a former world title contender, had previously claimed that he could easily submit Pereira, capitalizing on the champion’s perceived grappling weaknesses. This sparked a bold response from Pereira, who offered a $50,000 challenge: if Smith could submit him within five minutes, starting from the dominant back position with hooks in, he would win the money. Despite his reputation as a dangerous striker and former kickboxing champion, Pereira’s ground game had been criticized, giving Smith confidence that he could exploit this weakness.
The challenge was issued in May, just before Smith’s unexpected win over the undefeated Vitor Petrino at UFC 301. Smith, confident in his abilities, accepted, proclaiming that if given Pereira’s back, he would “choke the s*** out of him” and take the $50,000. Pereira, appearing on the podcast Connect Cast, confirmed the bet, declaring, “If I get up within five minutes, Smith owes me the money. If he finishes me, I’ll pay him.”
However, the feud fizzled after Smith’s loss to Roman Dolidze at UFC 303, an event that Pereira also fought at, defending his title. All bets were seemingly off, but the two fighters later settled their differences in a more civil manner. Through a mutual connection—Pereira’s mentor Glover Texeira—the two agreed to meet for an interview on ESPN MMA.
In a video posted to the platform, Smith is seen greeting Pereira with a handshake, marking the end of their competitive rivalry. What followed was an unexpected discussion about tattoos, and the pair’s conversation shifted from a competitive feud to mutual respect. Smith teased fans prior to the interview, hinting, “You won’t believe who I’m sitting down with,” and after the meeting, praised Pereira’s skills, calling himself a fan of the champion’s fighting style.
During the interview, Pereira acknowledged that while online rivalries can stir tension, he often tries to maintain amicable relationships with former opponents. “I’m always looking to improve,” Pereira said, “and I believe these people can help me grow.” Smith, in return, expressed his respect for Pereira’s accomplishments and sportsmanship, thanking him for participating in the interview. The two fighters left on a positive note, with Pereira even gifting Smith a t-shirt from his own collection, cementing the end of their feud.
What began as a high-stakes grappling challenge ended in an unexpected reconciliation, showcasing the sportsmanship that defines MMA at its core. As Pereira prepares for his next fight in Salt Lake City, it’s clear that his respect for the competition runs just as deep as his drive for victory.
