Alex Pereira expressed gratitude and respect for Ilia Topuria after an incident at a press conference where Topuria threw a bottle or bottle cap at Josh Hockett's face when Hockett was going too far with Pereira. Pereira called Topuria's action brotherly and criticized Hockett as a problematic person who doesn't get along with his own family and whom nobody likes. Additionally, Pereira thanked Topuria for providing transportation on his private jet to the White House, saying it was great to be around him. The post includes praise for Topuria's gesture of respect.
Alex Pereira has publicly praised Ilia Topuria for stepping in to defend him during a press conference incident, describing the gesture as an act of brotherhood.
During the event, Topuria threw a bottle or bottle cap at Josh Hockett after Hockett pushed his behavior toward Pereira too far. The reigning UFC light heavyweight champion responded warmly to the display of loyalty, calling Topuria's intervention brotherly and taking aim at Hockett himself, characterizing him as a problematic individual who struggles to maintain relationships even within his own family and who is broadly disliked.
Pereira, 38, holds a 13-4 professional record and has established himself as one of the sport's most feared strikers. The Brazilian champion stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and lands an impressive 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 62 percent — numbers that reflect the elite finishing power he has carried through his light heavyweight run.
Topuria, 29 and currently ranked number two at lightweight and the pound-for-pound number one fighter on the planet, also drew praise from Pereira for arranging transportation to the White House on his private jet. Pereira described it as a great experience and spoke highly of being in Topuria's company. The Spanish-Georgian standout carries a 17-1 record and generates 4.81 significant strikes per minute of his own, underscoring why he sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings.
Why it matters
- The public display of mutual respect between the pound-for-pound number one and the light heavyweight champion signals a genuine alliance between two of the UFC's biggest stars.
- Topuria's willingness to physically intervene on Pereira's behalf at a media event adds a personal dimension to a relationship that extends well beyond professional circles.
- Pereira's sharp criticism of Hockett keeps that ongoing tension in the public eye.
