GSP’s Coach Predicts Procházka vs. Pereira At UFC 295: 'Muay Thai Always Wins!'

Georges St-Pierre’s right-hand man, Firas Zahabi, feels the upcoming vacant UFC light heavyweight title fight will come down to striking.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka and former middleweight champion Alex Pereira will fight in the UFC 295 main event this Saturday. They’ll fight for the belt vacated by Jamahal Hill, who suffered an injury shortly after his UFC 283 title win over Glover Teixeira.

UFC 295 was originally supposed to be headlined by Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic before Jones withdrew due to an injury. But stylistically, Procházka and Pereira are expected to put on a show for fight fans this weekend.

Procházka and Pereira are two immensely gifted strikers, although one of the brightest minds in combat sports feels one of them has a distinct advantage.

Related: Video: Daniel Cormier ‘Confronts’ Michael Bisping For Pre-UFC 295 Remarks About Tom Aspinall

Firas Zahabi Breaks Down Jiří Procházka vs. Alex Pereira

In a recent YouTube video segment, Firas Zahabi predicted the UFC 295 main event.

“I’m picking Pereira. My old Muay Thai trainer used to tell me: ‘Muay Thai always wins’,” Zahabi said. “I think Pereira’s going to win the striking battle, too tenacious, he’s going to land the low kicks…but there are a few things I’m worried about. Maybe Jiri will take Pereira down…and we find out Pereira isn’t really that good on the ground. 

“Everybody he’s thought is pretty much a striker…yes, he out-wrestled Adesanya, but I think it was more of Adesanya being overwhelmed with the striking.”

Pereira passed his first UFC light heavyweight test by defeating Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291. He opted to make the full-time move to light heavyweight after a loss to Israel Adesanya in their middleweight title rematch at UFC 287.

Procházka will return after vacating the light heavyweight belt last year. He hasn’t fought since a win over Glover Teixeira at UFC 275.

As of this writing, Procházka vs. Pereira remains a pick-em at most betting outlets, but Zahabi feels Pereira’s Muay Thai will seal the deal at UFC 295.

• Read Also: UFC 295: Jiří Procházka vs. Alex Pereira Weigh-In Results: Two Fighters Miss Weight

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