Alex Pereira defended his light heavyweight title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, sparking discussions about whether he should move up to heavyweight to attempt becoming a three-division champion, though some argue he should first defend his current title against top contenders like Magomed Ankalaev.
This past Saturday, Alex Pereira knocked out Jiri Prochazka for the second time, defending his light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 303. It was just the latest episode in one of the more remarkable runs in MMA history, as Pereira climbs the ranks of all-time greats in a fraction of the time. Now it’s a question whether “Poatan” will move up to heavyweight to try and become the first three-division champion in UFC history or stick around at 205 for a couple more fights. Either way, it’s Pereira’s world and we’re all just living in it. So let’s talk about the fallout from UFC 303.
Alex Pereira, three-division champion?
What do you realistically think Pereira could do as a heavyweight? Is he already a top 10, top 5, HW?
— Patriot Freedom Eagle (@PatFreedomEagle)
What do you realistically think Pereira could do as a heavyweight? Is he already a top 10, top 5, HW?
The biggest question coming out of Saturday is whether Pereira will move up to heavyweight next for a chance at immortality. Joe Rogan basically demanded it. The MMA community is like kids playing with action figures: “This is fun! Let’s do this!” despite obvious shortcomings.
But before we get into downsides, let’s look at Pereira as a heavyweight. How high could he climb? Could he really become a three-division champion? Yes. Yes he could. But I wouldn’t bet on it.
Pretty much as a rule, champions in lower weight classes would be top-10 fighters at minimum in the weight class above them. But heavyweight is rancid—perhaps the worst of male divisions (though light heavyweight gives it competition). By my count there are seven good heavyweights including Jon Jones who has fought once and might retire after beating up a retired firefighter next.
At bare minimum, Pereira is top eight. Realistically only three guys I’d confidently pick to beat him: Jones, Curtis Blaydes, and Tom Aspinall. Alexander Volkov could beat him but I’d probably pick Pereira. And by that same token, Pereira could upset any of those three.
Add that Pereira is enormous (he walked in around 230 on Saturday) and has uniquely dangerous skills—it’d be foolish to count him out against any heavyweight. Enjoy him; he’s special.
Do your job
jed do you see ankalaev as an underdog for the first time in his ufc career against pereira
— joefrombayonne (@joefrombayonne) June 30 ,2024
What are the odds Ank just sits there and eats leg kicks until he gets booped Instead of wrestling? — Kaleb , Conceptually (@ConceptualKaleb) June 30 ,2024
< blockquote >< p id ="WgD2Wd ">Jed ,do you see Magomed Ankalaev as an underdog for the first time in his UFC career against Pereira ?
< p id ="Zh8lbE ">Now that we’ve celebrated Pereira for being awesome ,please allow me to rain on everyone’s fun parade :“ Poatan ” should not get to go fight for the heavyweight title .He has his own that he needs to defend .< p > Perhaps I’m being a boomer here ,but one of the most frustrating parts of MMA fandom these days is obsession with multi – division champions .As soon as someone wins belt,we want him fight another despite not having cleaned out weight class .No one denying that awesome,but man has four wins at over opponents .Sending up heavy weight George W.Bush “ Mission Accomplished ” banner.What if hold horses tick ?Perhaps let beat five different guys before banging action figures together .
< p > Particularly because there guy needs fight.Magomed Ankalaev second – ranked light heavy weight UFC wins over four top – fights plus draw with Jan Blachowicz probably should have been win.The man deserves chance fight title,Pereira champion should give him.Pereira seems game deserves more weight before moving so what ’s problem ?
Simple :We live culture “ NOW ” people afraid screw things winning.It ’s reasonable concern except if beats then probably didn’t deserve shot were forcing because want become three – division champion.And frustrates me because engineering outcomes instead letting occur organically .
So case why ridiculous rush into shot.Here ’s case why everyone < em > should < / em > want see fight :It ’s damn good fight !
Set aside deserves terrific foil love Jiri like own child clear fought times Alex wins them.But Different story.Ankalaev can tough grappler.That means real threat champion.But almost had leg kicked off by Blachowicz best low – kicker Both avenues win both styles fit nicely against another exceptional next .
< strong > Alex historically < / strong > < blockquoteclass =" twitter tweet"dnt =" truealign centerconversation none">
How would Peireira have done against DC or Jones ?let ’s say post peak both
Eugene Krabs (@ KRYPTOKR4BS)
June30 ,2024 How would Peireira have done against Daniel Cormier or Jones ?Let ’s say post peak both .
Probably not all that well.I love part incredible run success moment light travesty.Jan old gave hell,Jiri minimal defense exact same stuff rematch despite getting knocked first Jamahal Hill thought smart kickbox perhaps greatest striker also might not good.I think better wrestler grappler than gets credit truth still haven’t had see much people kickbox .
Jones Cormier would not do that.
Daniel Olympic wrestler plant back every round until won decision finished fight.I put massive massive favorite over slightly different matter least spindly legs provide enticing target kick given how straightforward approach Ciryl suspect Again comfortably pick men Just atrocious style matchups .
< strong > Jiri Prochazka < / strong > blockquotetwitter tweetdnt truealign centerconversation none
What think next Jiri ?
Samuel Tromans (@ SamuelJTromans)
June30 ,2024 What think next ?
What should take some time off recover really bad knockout.Then return gym perhaps learn value defense.I’m not saying needs Jose Aldo after lost back wars Eddie Alvarez Dustin Poirier Justin Gaethje realized kamikaze style limit.Instead learned better how deploy anarchy focused bursts making substantially more dangerous fighter.should same.
But is what will ?
Following released statement peak saying needs evolve best.What means anybody guess.This guy week decided reveal believed shamanic rituals spirits why lost first fact front leg got put through wood chipper ran headlong counters.If months posts video Instagram talking about moved Amazon rain forest commune imbibe strength did anyone shocked?
When comes guess good mine.But taking shot dark doesn’t change anything substantially goes vintage sometime winter.
< strong > Dan Ige man < / strong > blockquotetwitter tweetdnt truealign centerconversation none
Is going next BMF after Saturday ?
Zak Kitzler (@ KitzlerZak)
July1 ,2024 Is going next BMF after Saturday ?
In all years fandom never seen something happened.After doing bunch garbage before pulled out Diego Lopes night somehow — wasn’t even card arena — stepped two hours’ notice.We cannot overstate brass ones both Lopes taking circumstances.
There honestly not much more say about.In percent circumstances this scrapped.It happens all time.But somehow stars aligned instead very fun best stories year.UFC use opportunity crown junior-BMF champion let pick opponent first title defense.man earned.
< strong > inadequacies Hall Fame < / strong > blockquotetwitter tweetdnt truealign centerconversation none
Probably late responding comment.
What kind award honor accreditation can /should given fighters step Purple Heart mma what ?Hayo (@ hayomayo)
July1 ,2024 What kind award honor accreditation can /should given fighters step Purple Heart mma what ?
I lied there more say subject.
On our post show lamented fact incredible moment end won’t live forever.Sure paid trouble certainly endeared millions fans long fandom turns rapid rate.five years most fans won’t been here so best they’ll heard story worst they’ll only know lost Diego Lopes.fight won’t Fight Year inducted Hall Fame.will only live long remember fans short memories.
I don’t answers wish change.Like Hall real place institution go put little plaque fighter stepped fought least amount notice.Something Anything really.instead moment have live through intend preach Gospel many years come.
Thanks reading thank everyone sent tweets(Xs?)!Do burning questions things least somewhat related combat sports Then luck because send tweets< em>@ JedKMeshew < / em >< em>,and answer favorite ones !Doesn’t matter topical insane long good.again y’all next week.< / em >