The stakes are higher than ever, says Alex Pereira . Just six fights into his MMA career, Pereira (5-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) thinks UFC 276 will likely punch (or kick) his ticket into the on-deck circle for whoever holds the belt following the event’s conclusion. “Whoever wins this fight will get whoever is the champion next,” Pereira recently told MMA Junkie through a translator. “And it’s great because I have a clear path ahead for me, I already know what will be next and that makes me very excited.” Originally scheduled to fight July 30 vs. Sean Strickland (25-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) at UFC 277 in Dallas, the matchup was preserved but expedited three weeks forward to UFC 276, July 2 in Las Vegas – an unusual move by the promotion.
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