Replace: Together with his fourth-round defeat of Khalil Rountree by way of TKO at UFC 307, Alex Pereira accomplished step one in all my eight-part plan for him to seize a 3rd UFC title and grow to be a fight sports activities GOAT. However that’s not all he set in movement. He additionally answered questions on deficiencies in his sport that precipitated me to doubt how effectively he’d do in opposition to Tom Aspinall, he stated what I hoped he would when requested about combating Dricus Du Plessis, and backstage, he informed Megan Olivi he’d do one thing that works completely for my fan-theorized scheme.
He even gained over the good Chael P. Sonnen, who thinks Pereira is probably barely forward of the totally made-up schedule I’ve laid out for him. “He’s utterly one-dimensional for a GOAT,” Sonnen stated on ESPN’s post-show following Poatan’s victory. “I imply, it’s simply kickboxing, it’s simply standup. There’s no groundwork, there’s by no means been a takedown, there’s by no means been a protection of a submission, there’s by no means been a submission thrown up—and he simply could be the GOAT. He has revolutionized the game.”
Learn on to see how MMA’s most dominant kickboxing specialist can take his abilities to heavyweight and attain one thing most of us, myself and Sonnen included, are simply now realizing is feasible.
There are some fascinating factors of comparability when contemplating the rise of Alex Pereira. For one, his stardom is clear to the hundreds of thousands who’ve constructed it, somewhat than one thing followers must be satisfied of, in contrast to the supposed recognition of the Sphere-headlining Sean O’Malley. Furthermore, he’s maintained a McGregor-esque ascent whereas avoiding related controversies, escaped the shadow of Israel Adesanya with out stooping to his stage of immaturity, and grow to be essentially the most beloved Brazilian fighter this facet of José Aldo—all whereas making himself a two-division champion in a fight sport for the second time, having first executed so in Glory Kickboxing earlier than his transfer to MMA.
Granted, when followers and pundits cease speaking star energy and begin discussing GOAT circumstances, arguments will be made for a lot of different fighters forward of Pereira. Pioneers like Anderson Silva can hold their hats on historical past, the Demetrius Johnsons of the world can level to their dominance, and Jon Jones has his unbeaten streak on his facet (and Dana White). After duplicating his kickboxing success in a second sport, Alex Pereira has one factor left to do to earlier than he will be included amongst these greats: He has to maneuver to heavyweight and grow to be the UFC’s first three-division champion.
Because the Gentle Heavyweight Champion prepares to defend his gold at UFC 307 in opposition to Khalil Rountree, learn on as I look previous his opponent, maybe committing a cardinal fight sport sin within the course of, and plot Poatan’s potential highway to heavyweight glory.
