Alex Pereira pulled no punches when responding to Anthony Smith’s criticism.
During the UFC Fight Night 225 media day, Smith said that at light heavyweight, Pereira is not ‘the large scary monster’ he was when he fought at middleweight.
Smith (37-18 MMA, 12-8 UFC), who serves as a desk analyst for ESPN and also co-hosts the “Believe You Me” podcast with Michael Bisping, is often quite vocal, and not shy when giving his opinion on other fighters – which Pereira doesn’t appreciate.
“Since he’s a commentator, I always see him talking – especially about me,” Pereira said on his YouTube channel. “He talks really bad. I don’t know what he has against me.”
Former title challenger Smith edged out Ryan Spann in this past Saturday’s co-main event at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. “Poatan” is surprised to see a fellow fighter being critical of him and others.
“Today he relishes bashing other athletes because he has no clue what they go through,” Pereira said. “And a commentator who’s a fighter knows how tough it is, but somehow he chooses not to give them any credit. At least stay silent.
“But nope – he has to put his two cents because he loves being in the spotlight. He doesn’t show up at the fights. I mean, he likes fighting but he doesn’t show up. No one talks about him, so he spouts off nonsense to get some screen time.”
Former middleweight champion Pereira (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) suggests Smith is likely jealous that he’s been able to achieve so much in such little time, and is on the cusp of going for a second UFC title.
“This guy is frustrated because I’m already making good money, going for another championship, entering another weight class,” Pereira said. “All eyes are now on me, and he’s stuck in a rut, just the way he is. He has to keep criticizing fighters, maligning them just for a bit of recognition and to make himself look better … The only ones who speak bad about me are Anthony Smith types, washed up vets who never amounted to anything – who are still fighting.
“They’re in a really tight spot, or the guy who is still a nobody. But those who are already doing well, I don’t see them talking about me. It’s just the ones beneath me. You get me? Or those who tried and failed, bitter souls like Anthony Smith. I don’t really like doing this, coming here just to bad mouth people. Actually, I’m not bad mouthing anyone – I’m just speaking the truth.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 225.
