Alex Pereira‘s impressive run in the light heavyweight division ended with a loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, revealing vulnerabilities but not necessarily diminishing his potential for future success, as discussions of a rematch and his star power continue.
Alex Pereira’s journey in the light heavyweight division was almost mythical. Five straight wins, four knockouts in title fights, and victories over former champions painted him as invincible. But even heroes fall. Last Saturday at UFC 313, Magomed Ankalaev brought him back to reality.
Despite a close fight, Pereira struggled to find his rhythm. Ankalaev’s strategy of controlling without takedowns exposed chinks in Pereira’s armor. However, losing doesn’t mean he’s been figured out entirely.
UFC legend Matt Brown had some thoughts on this. "I don’t think exposed is the right word," he said on The Fighter vs. The Writer. "It humanized him." The UFC has a knack for hyping fighters, and Pereira was no exception.
Brown compared this to other fighters like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. Jon Jones is one of the few who lived up to the hype, though not without challenges. Pereira’s past struggles, like his knockout loss to Israel Adesanya, are often overshadowed by his recent success.
"This sport, this is what happens," Brown continued. Every great champion faces their moment of vulnerability. Ankalaev didn’t dominate Pereira with takedowns, but he did slow down the hype train.
Pereira’s next move could be crucial. Dana White hinted at an immediate rematch, which might give Pereira a chance to reclaim his glory. The light heavyweight division lacks a clear No. 1 contender, making this rematch even more enticing.
Brown sees potential in building a rivalry between Pereira and Ankalaev. "This is the age of short attention spans," he noted. A well-spun rivalry could elevate Pereira’s star power significantly.
However, time isn’t on Pereira’s side. At nearly 38 years old, another loss could be devastating for his career trajectory. Back-to-back defeats would damage his brand and drawing power in the UFC.
"His star power goes so exponentially higher if he goes out and works Ankalaev," Brown emphasized. Winning could catapult him back to the top, but losing might mean climbing the ranks again or even considering retirement.
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