Glover Teixeira says Pavlovich is a better match up for Alex Pereira than Gane

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Alex Pereira's coach and mentor Glover Teixeira thinks Sergei Pavlovich is a better match up for Pereira than heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane, Sherdog reports. Pereira and Pavlovich meet in the co-main event of UFC 335 on 12 December in Las Vegas. It is Pereira's second fight at heavyweight. His first did not go to plan

In June, Pereira lost his heavyweight debut to Gane by second round TKO at UFC Freedom 250. That was a big setback for a fighter who had looked unstoppable at light heavyweight. Teixeira's argument is all about styles. He said Gane moves around more, while Pavlovich tends to stay more planted

That matters for a striker like Pereira, who likes to set traps and land big shots at range. A moving target like Gane is much harder to time. Pavlovich is a huge puncher himself, though, so standing in front of him has its own risks. Teixeira said Pereira needs to fight the right fight, keep his distance and be faster

Teixeira also expects a finish. He said this one definitely is not going to the fifth round. That is hardly a bold prediction given both men's power. Pavlovich has some of the scariest knockouts in the division

Pereira still wants to become the UFC's first three division champion. Beating Pavlovich would put him back in the title picture at heavyweight. Losing twice in a row would end that dream, at least for a while. It is a high stakes fight for both men

Who wins Pereira against Pavlovich? And can Pereira still become a three division champion?

Alex Pereirawww.sherdog.com