The Matter of which fighters rank among the many Best of All Time is a well-liked but generally contentious debate. The place there are regulars within the dialog, equivalent to Jon Jones, Georges St. Pierre and Amanda Nunes, to call some examples, the legacy constructed by Alex Pereira undoubtedly inserts him into the dialogue.
After an emphatic Mild Heavyweight title defence towards Khalil Rountree JR at UFC 307, the MMA world is raring to see what’s subsequent for the previous UFC Middleweight champion.
Pereira’s Rampant Run Continues
Pereira’s most up-to-date success within the octagon noticed him full three title defences in simply 175 days, breaking Ronda Rousey’s earlier report of as many defences in 189 days.
The 37-year-old additionally prolonged to an unbeaten 5-0 at mild heavyweight since transferring as much as the load class from middleweight in July 2023.
Suppose followers have been unaware of the devastating hanging potential at Pereira’s disposal from his Glory Kickboxing days. In that case, they’ve been handled to it since his transfer to the main MMA promotion. This transfer noticed “Poatan” safe double-champ standing throughout two divisions in simply seven bouts.
His captivation of the MMA world and the accomplishments he acquired in a comparatively brief time are astounding, and a few could take into account him among the many greatest.
In ESPN MMA’s UFC 307 post-show, Chael Sonnen expressed his perception that Pereira has a proper to be thought-about amongst one of the best.
“He’s extraordinarily one dimensional for a GOAT” Sonnen stated.
“There’s no groundwork, there’s by no means been a takedown, there’s by no means a defensive submission, there’s by no means been a submission thrown up, and he may simply be the GOAT.”
One other Mild Heavyweight Conflict On the Playing cards?
The ‘American Gangster’s’ feedback, while establishing the validity of contemplating the Brazilian Celebrity amongst one of the best, highlighted areas the place followers could have doubts.
The opposite facet would argue that Pereira has had beneficial matchups in his run as a result of he has but to be examined by an elite-level grappler, which, in idea, favours his hanging background.
Many followers felt that No.2 ranked light-heavyweight Ankalaev ought to have been standing throughout from Pereira in Salt Lake Metropolis at UFC 307.
The Russian may threaten Pereira’s present reign together with his well-rounded recreation. Nonetheless, Ankalaev should overcome Aleksander Rakic at UFC 308 on October 26 for a shot at mild heavyweight gold to materialise.
A Potential Tremendous Combat at Heavyweight?
Pereira seemingly shunned a return to middleweight for the foreseeable future, as coaching accomplice Sean Strickland is about to problem champ Dricus Du Plessis for middleweight gold in a rematch.
Suppose the previous Glory Kickboxing champion decides to not keep put. In that case, there’s potential for a history-making transfer as much as the heavyweight division, the place Pereira may try and develop into the primary three-division world champion.
A current Instagram submit from the Brazilian appeared to recommend the potential for such a transfer with Interim Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall, the picture’s topic.
The considered Pereira stepping as much as heavyweight searching for gold in a 3rd division is undeniably attractive. And if profitable, Pereira could also be thought-about the best of all time if there have been doubts.
