Daniel Cormier is a big Alex Pereira fan now, especially after his win against Jiri Prochazka. In a short while, the Brazilian knockout artist became a dual-division champ and snagged two defenses of his light-heavyweight gold. Pereira thoroughly impressed ‘DC’ with his elite-level striking. However, Pereira’s P4P spot remains contentious lately, especially for Kamaru Usman.
Alex Pereira made a maiden defense at April’s milestone pay-per-view event with a shock stoppage over Jamahal Hill. Then, ‘Poatan’ blew out the competition with a head kick and pounding on short notice at UFC 303. Soon, he found himself in second place in UFC Pound-for-pound listings as a result. However, not everyone is taking well to that, and ‘DC’ came to counter the existing backlash.
Kamaru Usman is wrong. He’s my brother. I love that guy, but in this instance, he’s wrong. We are not determining a fighting style; we’re determining if the style …, allows you to be successful in different weight classes…While I agree with you, Kamaru, …the style that he has is pound for pound because it is proven through fact not anymore hyptothetical.
Daniel Cormier via his Official YT Channel (@@DC_MMA)
A partial camp, a hurt toe, and a short-notice fight later, Pereira went through all that only to miss out on the 2024 ESPY for Best UFC Fighter Award. Fans have been raging about the now-37-year-old not winning the top spot despite double quick, snappy wins. Top it off, Usman and Henry Cejudo, co-hosts of the Pound 4 Pound Podcast, have been scrutinizing his P4P placement.
Daniel Cormier says Kamaru Usman is WRONG for not having Alex Pereira high up on his pound-for-pound list:
“Kamaru Usman is wrong… we’re not determining a fighting style, we’re determining if the style that you have has allowed for you to be successful in a different weight… pic.twitter.com/jcghKviGFT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 12, 2024
Kamaru Usman, specifically, thinks Pereira lacks all-around transferable skills and ground game. Usman is critical of his striking-focused skills, noting that he needs to win against more well-rounded opponents. Daniel Cormier, however, considers that his unprecedented success and dominance in two divisions is proof enough. In pure Pereira fashion, though, the champ just grinds on.
Alex Pereira is open to Magomed Ankalaev and other options by the end of 2024
Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) jumped to the No. 2 spot on the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings after his back-to-back title defenses. His quick KOs overtook UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the listings. Initially, Alex Pereira wanted to return to Australia’s pay-per-view card in Perth this August. However, Plinio Cruz and grappling coach Glover Teixeira told him to cool the jets.
Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira targets December return; open to anyone (Source: bleacherreport.com/IMAGO)Noticing his strike-only attire, No. 4-ranked Magomed Ankalaev is chomping at bits, making a case for a title opportunity. He even douses on using just striking and no takedowns to overcome him in his own game. Looking at his current crop of 205-pound contenders, he knows there’s substantial interest in Ankalaev. Hence, he has some plans for that.
I think December would be the best date…My focus is to defend my belt – doesn’t matter who, ..A lot of people say Ankalaev – that’s who they are talking about now. People are focused on him. But I’m training well, not just for him. But for anyone.
Alex Pereira Official statement via his YouTube Channel (@Poatan.AlexPereira)
Alex Pereira already treads ahead more than most. He is 2024’s most searched and upvoted MMA entity on multiple platforms. Pereira has been a top bill for non-domestic streamers as well as domestic ones at ESPN platforms (ESPN+, Hulu SVOD, ESPN & ESPN Deportes). He has overtaken other names as No. 1 in the latest unofficial Sportsnet/USA TODAY Sports/SBNation Network and other outlet pound-for-pound rankings.
Now, it’s just a waiting game. Michael Bisping, Anthony Smith, Hill, Chael Sonnen, Kamaru Usman, and even Daniel Cormier, at one point, have pointed out holes in his ground game. Hence, the fighter out of São Paulo, Brazil, wants to evolve his fighting style and come back stronger. Just like he has done every time.
