If the UFC were to rework its logo, it would have a good reason to turn it into a ‘Moai’. That is the kind of influence Alex Pereira has had on the company since becoming its undisputed face. The Brazilian, of course, has essentially speed-run the UFC, becoming a two-division champ within just ten fights in the promotion! And his unprecedented run continued with the brutal battering of Khalil Rountree Jr. just last Saturday at UFC 307.
And so potent has Pereira’s fame and star power become that even Hollywood stars are taking note. Clear evidence of this came when ‘Aquaman’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ star Jason Momoa took to social media to express his appreciation for the light heavyweight champ. “Excited for the future champ,” the Aussie Hollywood star wrote on his Instagram Story along with what seems like a screenshot from a video call between them.
And why not? Already an all-time great, ‘Poatan’ has moved into the GOAT conversation with his latest performance. His next few fights will now determine just what kind of legacy he leaves behind. There is even the prospect of Pereira becoming the first-ever three-division champion of the UFC if Dana White grants his wish to move up to heavyweight.
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via Imago October 5, 2024, Salt Lake City, Ut, Salt Lake City, Ut, United States: Alex Pereira in a 5-round light heavyweight title bout at the Delta Center for UFC307 – Pereira vs Rountree Jr. on October 5, 2024 in Salt Lake City, UT, United States. /PxImages Salt Lake City, Ut United States – ZUMAp175 20241005_zsa_p175_630 Copyright: xLouisxGrassex
Jason Momoa, of course, has been a UFC fan for a long time. Fans will remember him doing the Haka (a traditional Maori dance) for former UFC star Mark Hunt a few years ago in the gym. The Hollywood star had even had a memorable reaction to Israel Adesanya’s knockout win in his historic rematch with Alex Pereira last year.
This time around, ‘Poatan’ is the one being commended by the actor, which must feel great. The Brazilian is the biggest active superstar in the promotion and thus the entire sport currently. But is he worthy of being considered the pound-for-pound best fighter of the UFC? Well, Kamaru Usman certainly thinks so.
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Usman kicks up a storm with Alex Pereira and P4P remarks
Alex Pereira is currently ranked #2 on the UFC’s pound-for-pound list, only behind lightweight king Islam Makhachev who has essentially been on a tear of his run ever since he clinched gold. After all, the Dagestani unseated the previous Pound for Pound #1 spot holder Alexander Volkanovski with a conclusive end in their second outing. But Kamaru Usman still thinks Pereira deserves to be #1. Why? Well because of not only Pereira’s recent wins, but because of how utterly dominant they were.
Pereira, of course, has won his last four fights via knockout. Just this year Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill, both former champions, couldn’t even make it to the end of the first round with the champ. And while Khalil Rountree Jr. did much better, lasting until the last minute of the fourth round, he was battered and convincingly put down.
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And that, according to Usman, is enough for Pereira to be considered the best active fighter in the promotion. However, Usman’s claim elicited strong reactions from many, including his own manager, Ali Abdelaziz. The manager, who also represents P4P king Makhachev, was pretty upset. He felt that a champion who chose to face the #8 ranked fighter in his division (Rountree Jr.), while essentially ducking the #2 ranked guy (Magomed Ankalaev) could not be considered the P4P best fighter in the promotion. Moreover, Pereira’s overall arsenal has not yet been put to test with many predicting that he will struggle against a grappler.
Nonetheless, Pereira has certainly emerged as a beacon of hope for the Dana White-led promotion on multiple fronts, and the recent rise in his stardom is well-deserved. What are your thoughts on Usman’s take? Who do you have on your Pound for Pound #1 spot? Let us know in the comments below!