Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill have the two spots that any self-respecting fighter would crave, headlining the historic UFC 300 card.
The event is packed with high-quality matchups, and rumors and debate over the headliner raged on for months.
Many were disappointed when it was announced as a light heavyweight title showdown rather than a Conor McGregor bonanza.
But Hill and Pereira are two of the most destructive punchers in the UFC, and the Brazilian even broke Francis Ngannou’s old record for the world’s hardest punch.
So what kind of fight can we expect? Where will the battle be won and lost and what do the statistics tell us about it?
Alex Pereira (left) and Jamahal Hill face off Saturday night at UFC 300
Pereira’s background in kickboxing influences his style in the cage and it has worked incredibly well for him so far.
Questions remain about his ability on the field, but those weaknesses have not been exposed at the highest level until now.
The standout statistic in terms of Pereira’s striking is that he has the fourth-best significant striking accuracy in UFC history at 62 percent.
For someone with the power he possesses, landing with that kind of frequency means that there is an extremely high probability of finding the target.
The fact that this could last five rounds shortens those odds even further and the fight-ending power of a single shot in Pereira’s fists is his most dangerous weapon.
He averages five strikes per minute, absorbing 3.65 in return.
That production is actually worse than Hill, who boasts seven significant strikes per minute, the second most of any light heavyweight.
Pereira has the power to end the fight in his hands and knocked out Jiri Prochazka (right)
His punch differential also puts him in the top 10 in the UFC at +3.72, so if this fight doesn’t end quickly, he will definitely have his moments to hurt Poatan.
The Brazilian’s key weapons are his strong low kicks and his lethal left hook.
If Hill tries to play range at T-Mobile Arena, he could very well find his legs compromised by slashing punches, which are incredibly difficult to block as Pereira fires them off without any indication they’re coming.
The champion is also a predatory finisher and has only been on the cards twice in his professional career.
All of his KO wins came with his fists despite his kickboxing background, which is an interesting quirk and style. He is also very well balanced in terms of mixing up the target areas of him.
Pereira lands 31 percent on the head, 31 percent on the body and 38 percent on the legs.
It is clear that he wants to limit the movement of his opponents before eliminating them.
Hill, on the other hand, is a headhunter. A whopping 69 percent of his punches are directed at the head, 22 percent at the body, and only nine percent at the legs.
Hill is also a stand-up fighter and destroyed Glover Teixeira in 2023 to win the title.
So while both men are better on their feet, their flashy styles and the way they construct a performance are very different.
Pereira generally outclasses fighters, especially at middleweight, but that advantage disappears within one division and Hill only gives up three centimeters in height.
It would be a big surprise if Hill changed his usual heavy approach, even if Pereira’s weakness lies on the ground.
Hill has not scored a single takedown in his UFC career and has never submitted an opponent.
An important aspect to consider is what shape Hill is in. He is coming off a 15-month layoff following a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in a basketball game with other fighters.
That’s some serious recovery and you’ll need your movements to be precise from the start when those kicks come in hard.
Pereira’s kickboxing has proven to be effective in the UFC and he combines his strikes well.
Poatán’s victories usually come by knockout and his clash with Hill could be short
On Wednesday he reflected: “There are people, there are athletes who have suffered the same injury and who had to abandon their hopes and their dreams, and I am fortunate to now be in a time and in a position where the best medicine available was available. for me.
“I was able to take advantage of that and use the resources to come back and come back in a time that people really can’t believe.”
Hill is a slight underdog in the betting, but he is supremely confident even though he knows exactly the caliber of fighter he is facing.
He added: “Everyone thinks, and he is, that he is one of them, he is a GLORY champion in two divisions, a UFC champion in two divisions, a great kickboxer, hands of stone, a bad man, just a monster , a dangerous and scary guy.” . He is all those things. But be careful what I do to him.
Hill is coming off an injury, but Pereira will know that his opponent also has shock power
Given the enormous power on both sides of this main event and the willingness to approach fights aggressively, it would be a shock to see it last 25 minutes.
An early knockout in the early rounds seems more likely and that would be the kind of conclusion such a massive event deserves.