Since making three successful title defenses this year, all via knockouts that too, Alex Pereira’s ambition to become a triple-division champion has gathered steam as well as backers. The light heavyweight champ knocked out Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 in April; beat Jiri Prochazka via a second-round knockout at UFC 303 in June, and KO’d Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 last month. Who can bet against him climbing up to take on the big boys? Well, Chael Sonnen is that man.
The former UFC fighter believes Pereira’s jump up a division won’t happen unless his run in the light heavyweight comes to a halt.
Pereira’s current win streak at 205 pounds has given him as well as the division an exciting lift. As things stand, Poatan is likely to run through all competition in the division. Given that he doesn’t shy away from fights, even short-notice ones, that could happen soon, possibly by 2026.
However, that won’t be quick enough, feels Sonnen, since Poatan would be 40 by then. Let us not forget who awaits Pereira in the heavyweight category — the GOAT Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, who is built heavy but moves like a middleweight.
Only a setback can expedite Pereira to the dream matchups everyone is talking about. Sonnen explained:
“The quickest way you’re going to get Pereira and Aspinall together or Pereira and Jon Jones together, the quickest way, is not by Pereira continuing to clear out his division. If he continues to clear it you yes, you could eventually get there, but that road is way longer. If Pereira is to lose at light heavyweight, he is in there with Aspinall and Jones tomorrow.”
The UFC veteran reminded everyone how Poatan’s move to light heavyweight came about. The Brazilian started his UFC career at middleweight, taking the belt by defeating Israel Adesanya. He then defended it against Sean Strickland. However, when Adesanya KO’d him at UFC 287, the Brazilian moved up a weight class.
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Then again, going by Pereira’s current form, it seems he can’t stop winning. Although, winning has also cost him.
The Price of winning against Rountree Jr.
Pereira’s still reeling from his successful title defense against Rountree Jr. last month. Pereira revealed that his hand has been bothering him since the October 5 bout in Salt Lake City.
“In the fourth round, I was throwing jabs, and my hand was killing me…“I thought, ‘My hand must be broken.’ It still hurts if I press here,” he said on the Brazilian podcast, *Podpah*
Reflecting on the fight, he admitted, “I knew the jabs were working, but hitting his forehead really hurt”.
So no, he’s not coming back for the fourth fight of the year, replacing the Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov card at UFC 310. Three successful title defenses a year is already insane enough as it is.
