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Alex Pereira’s coach compares Ilia Topuria’s power to former multiweight boxing champion
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- Alex Pereira’s coach compares Ilia Topuria’s power to former multiweight boxing champion
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje are set to headline UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in a lightweight unification bout.
Topuria is being tipped by many fans and analysts as the clear favourite, with Gaethje's toughness seen as his main path to making it competitive.
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Now Plinio Cruz, one of Alex Pereira's coaches, has added to that narrative after seeing Topuria train before the White House visit.
Plinio Cruz says Ilia Topuria looked like Canelo Alvarez on the mitts
Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images
Cruz said on Brazilian podcast "Connect Cast" that Topuria's striking stood out immediately when he visited his gym two weeks ago.
"I saw Topuria training at my gym two weeks ago, before the White House visit. What I saw there shocked me. 'Poatan' is on a level where there's no comparison in terms of power, but he looked like Canelo [Alvarez] hitting mitts.
"I've never seen a guy of that weight in MMA hit mitts like that in my life. It's extraordinary," Cruz stated.
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The comparison carries weight. Canelo Alvarez is a former multiweight world champion and widely regarded as one of the most skilled boxers of his era.
It also fits with Topuria's broader ambitions, as he has already hinted at a move into boxing, having traded words with Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson recently.
If Topuria continues his dominance in MMA, a crossover would not come as a surprise. His confidence, punching ability and growing star power are already starting those conversations.
For Gaethje, Cruz's comments only add to the pressure. He has built his reputation on violence and durability, but Topuria's boxing aura keeps growing before fight night.
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