What else is there to say in addition to, “Wow!” UFC 300 delivered from Deiveson Figueiredo to Alex Pereira. With Pereira finishing former champion Jamahal Hill, all eyes are wanting ahead to the brilliant way forward for the sunshine heavyweight champion. Who does Pereira combat subsequent? Let’s take a look at three choices!
The logical possibility: Magomed Ankalaev
If we’re being strict in regards to the hierarchy in mild heavyweight, Magomed Ankalaev is definitely the subsequent possibility for Alex Pereira. Hill will fall from his standing because the primary contender after his UFC 300 loss. This strikes up Jiri Prochazka to number one, somebody Pereira knocked out, after which Magomed Ankalaev.
Ankalaev hasn’t misplaced a combat since 2018 and has arguably been the very best fighter at 205. Within the 12 fights since his final loss, Ankalaev has beat the division’s greatest together with former contenders Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith.
He was given a shot on the title when Prochazka was vacated and that combat led to a draw. It’s time that Ankalaev will get that subsequent shot at gold. It’s attainable to do that at UFC 301 in Brazil, although it will take convincing on Ankalaev’s half.
The Rivalry: Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 5
In my preview present for UFC 300, I talked at first about how I believed the UFC’s finish recreation was to have Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 5 at 205 by the top of the yr. I nonetheless imagine that’s the plan. Pereira did his half and now Adesanya should do his and beat Dricus Du Plessis.
The Adesanya combat is a egocentric want of mine, absolutely. The 2 are 3-1 throughout kickboxing and MMA however solely 1-1 in MMA, correct. Adesanya beat Alex Pereira within the two’s final combat earlier than Poatan’s transfer to 205.
The problem lies within the UFC’s intentions for Pereira. In the event that they need to jam him on UFC 301, Adesanya shall be off the desk. He’s all however locked in to face Dricus Du Plessis in August at UFC 305.
If we could be affected person, what a greater solution to finish the rivalry than a champion versus champion matchup?
The heavyweight route: Ciryl Gane
I do know minds leap to Tom Aspinall, but when we’re hell bent on letting Alex Pereira combat at heavyweight, let’s do Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane.
— Blaine Henry (@BlaineHenryTFL) April 14, 2024
I actually don’t like the thought of Alex Pereira shifting as much as heavyweight. However he fought at 230 kilos final evening. That what former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic fought at. So it’s doable. Sadly, I don’t have any want to see Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones wrestle the previous middleweight champion into oblivion. But when we’re on the lookout for a enjoyable possibility, France has the answer.
Ciryl Gane is my choose at heavyweight. We don’t run the danger of Pereira being wrestled into oblivion and it’s a enjoyable placing match. Ciryl Gane wants a combat that received’t be a wrestling check and if he’s in form, UFC 301 could possibly be an possibility.
These two are massive fellas and have an ideal placing pedigree. If we’re severe a couple of heavyweight Alex Pereira run in opposition to Jon Jones, I say let’s see what heavyweight Pereira is able to as an alternative of throwing him to the wolves that’s Tom Aspinall and Jones.
