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The UFC has undergone significant changes in the past few years. The roster now includes many exciting new talents. Throughout its various eras, the UFC has greatly benefited from megastars like Chuck Liddell, Conor McGregor, and Ronda Rousey. However, the two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes there is a shortage of superstars in the UFC.
On the latest episode of the Good Guy / Bad Guy podcast, Cormier and Chael Sonnen discussed the current era of UFC champs. ‘DC’ felt that the current UFC does not have superstars as champions. He cited the examples of McGregor, Anderson Silva, Brock Lesnar, and BJ Penn as prime examples. In comparison, the current champions are not major attractions except for two, at the very least.
There was a time in the UFC where the champions were absolute stars. They were must-see attractions… Every guy that held that belt seemed to warrant you coming and paying attention…Today it doesn’t seem so much. Is there a void of that big star, because right now it feels like only Jon Jones and Alex Pereira might be the only two champions right now that are completely moving the needle.
Daniel Cormier via Good Guy/Bad Guy
Jon Jones has sold multiple enormous amounts of PPVs in his career. Meanwhile, Alex Pereira garnered enormous live gates at UFC 300 and UFC 303. No other champions have come close. With Sean O’Malley losing the bantamweight title, there is one less superstar as a champion. DC supported his argument by pointing out how well Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier performed in the live gate and PPV sales.
According to Daniel Cormier, winning the belt and defending it three times should set the standard for champions. With so many changes in champions in most divisions, a consistent title defense is what makes a superstar in Cormier’s eyes. Unbeatable fighters were the superstars in the past. Alex Pereira is one such unbeatable fighter at the moment.
Alex Pereira continues formidable run in the UFC
Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (10-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) beat Jiri Prochazka in the main event of UFC 303. After the promotion scrapped the original main event featuring McGregor and Michael Chandler, Pereira salvaged another pay-per-view card. He also stepped up to headline UFC 300 against Jamahal Hill in April after both fighters verbally agreed to their bout for UFC 301 in May.
Alex Pereira continues his championship run in the UFC (via Imago)Many believe Pereira to be the face of the UFC as he steps into the octagon yet again on October 5th in Salt Lake City. This time, he defends his light heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307. Peieria has now fought multiple world champions: Prochazka x2, Hill, Israel Adesanya x2, Jan Blachowicz, and Sean Strickland. It is truly remarkable
Poatan has consistently fought at least three times a year since joining the UFC in 2021. Collecting title wins after title wins, Pereira plans to speed-run the UFC. ‘Poatan’ has mentioned he plans to move down to middleweight to take the belt off Dricus Du Plessis. It just adds to the multiple possibilities of options for Pereira moving forward.
