After yet another unbelievable knockout win, Alex Pereira may be about to become undeniable in his quest to make UFC history.
The kickboxing superstar has decimated the MMA world within just 13 fights, and is already a two-weight world champion at light-heavyweight and middleweight. But after a stunning win over Jiri Prochazka, he may be heading to even bigger heights and attempting a previously unheard of feat.
There was previously minimal interest from the promotion in seeing him move up to challenge for heavyweight honours. But after saving both UFC 303 and UFC 300 this year, he may be given some leeway and a chance at an unprecedented third belt.
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Alex Pereira could move up to heavyweight after massive UFC 303 knockout
Alex Pereira entered the octagon on Saturday night already a bonafide star for the promotion, but left an even bigger one after yet another stunning victory. There was understandable controversy over their UFC 295 finish, but he left no doubt this time around.
After a competitive first round, with just seconds to go, he dropped Prochazka with a big right hand that changed the complexion of the fight. And even though his rival had a chance to recover in the corner for the next minute, that didn’t do him any favours.
Immediately once the second round began, Pereira was across the octagon piling on the pressure for the finish. And he landed a big left head kick that should have seen the bout immediately stopped. However, he needed to land a bit of ground and pound before referee Herb Dean stepped in.
Asked after the fight by Joe Rogan if he would be interested in a new challenge up at heavyweight, Pereira replied via a translator: “I think that’s in my future, I said that last time I was here, I say that a lot but there didn’t seem to be too much interest in the organisation.
“But I’m here, I’m available and I do think that this is in my future… I think the fans have a lot of say in this, whatever they want. In the end, these are the people paying for this and if this is what they want it’s going to be inevitable.”
Dana White still unsure about Alex Pereira’s move to heavyweight despite UFC 303 heroics
Following his big win, there was palpable excitement on the broadcast about a potential move up to heavyweight. The division currently has both an undisputed and an interim champion; Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, while Pereira prove to be a new wrinkle.
But asked about the prospect at the post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White seemed non-committal on the issue. “I’m standing up there with the belt and I had Joe Rogan in my ear the whole time we were up there,” he joked.
“He’s saying ‘let him fight heavyweight, come on, just do it,’ so I know that’s what people want to see. We’ll see how this whole thing plays out… We’re definitely committed to [Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic].
“You know how I feel about Jon Jones and where he sits in the pound-for-pound and all-time rankings. Then Stipe is looked at as the greatest heavyweight of all time so they deserve that fight.”
Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall are both keen to fight Alex Pereira
Potentially fighting Pereira has been put to both Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall over the last year, with each man keen on the fight. The Brit shared a cryptic post after UFC 300 about a potential fight, but the American has been much more clear about his intentions in wanting the fight.
“If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT?” He asked fans last month during a Q&A. “Being back in the gym has got me thinking differently. That fight after Stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make.
“This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world. The most massive fight the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated.
“It would be absolutely massive. A guy with a chance to be three division champion and a goat versus the actual goat. Same age, different strengths.
“No one can argue that that would be the biggest fight in MMA history. There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that. Marketing would be insane.”
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