Brazilian Fighters, Coaches Pick UFC 300 Headliner Pereira vs. Hill

It should come as little shock that every Brazilian prognosticator expects Alex Pereira will prevail on Saturday.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship will be staging its blockbuster show of UFC 300 on Saturday, and two ultra-popular Brazilian competitors will be competing on the main card. Light heavyweight kingpin Pereira (9-2) will be defending his throne against Jamahal Hill (12-1, 1 NC), while ex-lightweight champ Charles Oliveira (34-9, 1 NC) competes in a no. 1 contender bout against Arman Tsarukyan (21-3). Sherdog spoke to numerous fighters and coaches about the main attraction, with the field unanimous in support of their fellow countryman.

Charles Oliveira: “Jamahal Hill is bluffing when he says he will keep the fight standing with ‘Poatan.’ His strategy is to take him down. If he exchanges punches with ‘Poatan,’ he will be knocked out. ‘Poatan’ is hungry and wants to avenge Glover [Teixeira’s] loss to him.”

Patricky Freire, former Bellator MMA champion: “I think this fight will be easier for [Pereira] than [against] Jiri [Prochazka]. I believe Hill will try to take him down, but even if he gets [Pereira] down, the guy is training with Glover every day and, as Glover says, it’s hard to keep him down. When the fight returns standing, Hill will end up having problems with the champion’s striking game.”

Vitor Miranda, former UFC fighter, UFC Fight Pass commentator: “I see Jamahal with a very similar boxing game than Jiri. He uses a long jab and straight. Hill has dangerous counter punches so it will be important for ‘Poatan’ to use his footwork. I see ‘Poatan’ winning via KO.”

Carlos Barreto, former UFC fighter, UFC Fight Pass commentator: “Jamahal is probably the worst challenge ‘Poatan’ has faced. The guy has real knockout power. Besides that, he is a southpaw, and it’s important to remember that when [Israel] Adesanya played changing stances to southpaw, he brought more problems to ‘Poatan.’ I see ‘Poatan’ as the slight favorite, but Hill must be respected.”

Andre Pederneiras, Nova Uniao co-founder: “I used to say ‘Poatan’ came from a different planet. Someone who trained MMA for such a short period coming from kickboxing and doing what he did, it’s not normal. In a complex sport like MMA, to reach what that guy has reached. He was born to be a champion. I don’t like to bet, but if I had to, I would put my money on ‘Poatan.’”

Rafael Cordeiro, Kings MMA founder: “Jamahal is good but never faced such a high-level striker. ‘Poatan’ is a different animal. I think he will surprise Hill with a counter cross punch.”

Ricardo Liborio, former American Top Team head coach: “’Poatan’ has a perfect style to control the distance and beat Hill. I truly see ‘Poatan’ having much more chances to win than Oliveira at UFC 300.”

Jayme Sandall, former karate coach of Vitor Belfort: “As a striking specialist, I must admire ‘Poatan.’ Even considering that he exposes himself too much, but he always impresses me. He is the best guy to see fighting MMA today. I think Hill will respect his hands and [Pereira] will keep his belt and have a long reign in UFC.”

Mano Santana, karate coach of Rodolfo Vieira: “It’s gonna be another tough test for ‘Poatan.’ I think Hill will try to surprise him like Jiri did in the first round with a takedown. But I see ‘Poatan’ as the favorite.”