MMA icon Alex Pereira is known for his skills in the Octagon. He recently found himself hitting the mat in an unexpected turn of events.
A recent video of their casual sparring session surfaced, where the Brazilian contender encountered an unforeseen challenge. He ended up taking a solid hit from American hip-hop artist and songwriter Lil Tjay.
Before his eagerly awaited return to the Octagon next month, Pereira was having a little fun with the 22-year-old rapper. During the session, he took a good right hand to the chin which instantly sent him to the ground. Pereira seemed to remain unconscious for a long time before waking up and seemed perplexed by what had transpired.
Lil Tjay is a music artist and his real name is Tione Jayden Merritt. He catapulted to fame in 2017 with his hit song ‘Resume’. His subsequent release ‘Brothers’ further solidified his position in the music industry, ultimately leading to a record deal with Columbia Records.
However, Merritt faced a harrowing ordeal in June 2022 when he became the victim of an armed robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey. He ended up sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. Miraculously, he survived the ordeal after undergoing extensive surgery at Hackensack Emergency Medical Center.
Despite the trauma he endured, Lil Tjay emerged stronger and more determined than ever. Just two months after the incident, he released ‘Beat the Odds.’ It was his new single which captured his near-fatal experience and subsequent recovery.
Meanwhile, Alex Pereira is gearing up for a monumental showdown. On Saturday, he will defend his light heavyweight championship for the first time against former titleholder Jamahal Hill in the highly anticipated UFC 300 main event.
Pereira secured the title with a remarkable second-round knockout victory over Jiri Prochazka in November. Previously, Jamahal Hill had vacated the belt due to an Achilles injury sustained earlier in the year.
Both Pereira and Hill boast impressive 6-1 records in the UFC, setting the stage for an electrifying clash. As the bout draws near, betting odds favor Pereira slightly, with DraftKings placing him at -135. Hill trails closely behind as a slight underdog at +114.