Alex Pereira is speedrunning by means of combined martial arts (MMA) historical past.
The thrill in direction of seeing Pereira compete at Heavyweight instantly intensified after he efficiently defended his Final Combating Championship (UFC) Gentle Heavyweight title for the second time at UFC 303 this previous month (June 29, 2024). “Poatan’s” second spherical head kick knockout (watch highlights) of former champion, Jiri Prochazka, bought the world questioning: Simply how would this otherworldly striker do within the land of giants?
In keeping with UFC CEO, Dana White, there’s an opportunity we might get to search out out sooner somewhat than later.
“It’s a chance,” White stated of Pereira shifting to Heavyweight on The Huge Podcast. “[Joe] Rogan has been pushing me proper now to attempt to make that combat.
“It’s simply, guys, let me clarify one thing to you,” he continued. “Jon Jones is an entire different degree. Jon Jones is — I contemplate Jon Jones the best fight fighter of all time. If you speak concerning the [Muhammad] Ali’s and the this and the that. Let me let you know what, I bought Ali’s image hung all over the place. I like Muhammad Ali. I like Mike Tyson. Jon Jones is the nastiest dude ever in historical past.”
A match up towards the undisputed Heavyweight champion, Jones, would undeniably be the largest for Pereira. Nonetheless, Jones is predicted to return for his first title protection towards Stipe Miocic as soon as he is prepared, which is prone to be by the top of 2024 on the earliest.
Within the interim, British titleholder of that model of the Heavyweight strap, Tom Aspinall, defends his crown in a rematch towards Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 subsequent weekend (Sat., July 27, 2024). Ought to Pereira keep to defend his title, Russia’s Magomed Ankalaev seems to be the frontrunner to be the following challenger.
