Aussie heavyweight boxer Demsey McKean denies Alex Pereira camp’s broken nose claims

Alex Pereira wasted no time getting to work sparring in Brisbane after accepting a short-notice fight at UFC 303.

Alex Pereira (L) started his training camp for his rematch with Jiri Prochazka (R) in Australia. Picture: Getty Images

The first serious sparring Alex Pereira did for his abbreviated UFC 303 training camp was against a gigantic Aussie boxer known as the Tower of Terror, and happened in the north Brisbane gym of a former UFC fighter and army veteran.

Pereira was on tour in Australia, doing seminars, appearances and talks when he accepted an offer two weeks ago to replace the injured Conor McGregor in the headline fight of UFC 303.

UFC 303: PEREIRA VS PROCHAZKA 2 | SUN 30 JUNE 12PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.

That’s how, one day after signing the contract to defend his title against Jiri Prochazka, and less than 24 hours before flying back to America, Pereira found himself standing opposite Demsey McKean at Base Training Centre, owned by six-fight UFC lightweight Damien Brown.

Demsey McKean in action against Filip Hrgovic last year. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images

Footage of the four-round spar was posted to Pereira’s YouTube channel, with ‘Poatan’s’ coach saying his fighter broke McKean’s nose.

But the 22-1 southpaw McKean denies that’s the case.

“No mate, he definitely didn’t break my nose,” McKean told this masthead. “I saw that as well, but my nose has been busted for a long time.

“It’s not the straightest nose, but no, he didn’t break it at all.

“It’s been broken plenty of times in the past, but not this time.”

McKean has boxed all over the world against some of the most dangerous heavyweights on the planet, and has sparred the likes of Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

But he was impressed by Pereira’s boxing.

“He’s deceivingly good,” he said. “He’s not the most technical on the pads when you’re watching him train – he’s a bit rough and rugged – but it works for him.

“He’s happy to sit in the pocket and deliver his power shots, and we all know he’s got the biggest recorded punch in history.

“He keeps the pressure on and makes it uncomfortable. Especially with me being a taller fighter, I like to stay out of the pocket, but he just never leaves you alone.

“He’s always in your face, so you need to be fit to be able to combat that. He’s got good head movement and his counters are quite good. He also has that good slip, and comes back with the right hand.”

Pereira was using the sparring to dial in his timing and range before his title defence, so neither man was going at one hundred per cent.

But McKean confirms the Brazilian knockout artist’s near-mythical power, and says it will be the difference in the fight.

“You can definitely feel his pop when he did land some clean shots,” he said. “He’s definitely fit, he’s ready and he’s been training the whole time he was down here.

“He’s got the equaliser in both hands. He’s got that power which can decide the fight at any time.

“I think he gets the knockout. I think it’ll be a good fight, but I think he knocks Jiri out.

“He’s a different breed, that’s for sure.”

Pereira displayed his power with a huge knockout of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

As reported by this masthead earlier this month, Pereira was all but confirmed to fight at UFC 305 in Perth before receiving the late call-up to fight this weekend instead.

If that bout – which would have been against Prochazka as well – had gone ahead, Pereira would likely have claimed the headline spot on the hugely anticipated card over arch rival Israel Adesanya, who fights middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.

Pereira has a 3-1 record against Adesanya in the UFC and in kickboxing, and their rivalry is one of the most intriguing in the UFC.

When there are two title fights on a card, the higher weight class generally headlines, meaning Pereira would have claimed another small win over Stylebender, even if he says that wasn’t his intention.

“I’m not trying to belittle him or anything else,” he said. “It’s not my intention to demote him or anything, that’s the UFC’s decision to make.

“But I had already settled in my mind fighting in Australia. Especially after being in Australia and feeling the love from all the fans.

“I really wanted to fight there.”

Originally published as Aussie heavyweight boxer Demsey McKean denies Alex Pereira camp’s broken nose claims