UFC featherweight Jim 'The Beast' Alers is set to take on Alan Belcher-product Jason Knight at UFC on Fox 20 on July 23, 2016. Bloody Elbow caught up with the submission savvy scrapper about his preparation for his upcoming bout with Knight, and acquired Aler's honest opinion of the UFC's need for an interim champion in the featherweight division.
Interview: Jim "The Beast" Alers UFC on Fox 20 **AUDIO ONLY**
Jim Alers expressed his dissatisfaction with how fellow former Cage Warriors champion Conor McGregor, continues to compete while failing to defend his UFC title:
"I think it's bullshit to be honest. If you know anything about my career, Conor and I have some history back in the past before the UFC. This guy has never defended any of the title he's ever won. He's won back in the day at Cage Warriors, the 45 and 55 title, and never defended them. Now he's in the UFC, wins a title, and is already at his second fight after and still hasn't defended it. I don't think that's right. There's so many guys that put in work, and work hard all the time, these guys deserve title shots. they deserve to fight for the title and to move up in the rankings. Because he wants to do whatever he wants to do everyone else has to suffer and wait."
Jim Alers was dismissive of Jason Knight's commonly utilized Rubber Guard:
"He has nine submissions, same as I do so, it's a good matchup. I just kind of think that he's like a one trick pony. He accepts the takedown. He works for that Rubber guard. He catches a lot of people. He's caught some pretty good people in it and stuff but I just think my Jiu-Jitsu is on another level. I don't think that Rubber Guard game is going to work with me. If that's what he's relying on then he's going to have a really really hard night. Hopefully he comes out with something else there, otherwise i'm definitely coming out with the 'W' no questions asked."
Tune in to UFC on Fox 20 on July 23, 2016 to see Jim 'The Beast Alers' take on Jason Knight in the featherweight division. Follow Bloody Elbow for full event coverage including news, updates, play-by-play, highlights, and more! Video of this interview can be seen at the top of the page.
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