With regards to the argument about who’s the perfect pound-for-pound fighter within the sport, Dana White lastly conceded in January that Islam Makhachev had carried out sufficient to surpass Jon Jones, however his opinion may change once more after UFC 313.
On Saturday evening, Alex Pereira returns to motion in search of the fourth consecutive protection of his gentle heavyweight title when he faces Magomed Ankalaev in the principle occasion. Since profitable the title with a knockout in 2024, Pereira has adopted that up with three extra devastating finishes and if he’s in a position to do the identical factor to Ankalaev, it’s potential he takes over that high spot within the legendary pound-for-pound rankings.
“He’s one of many greatest stars within the sport proper now, if not the most important star within the sport,” White mentioned about Pereira on First Take. “What makes this weekend nice is Ankalaev is a really severe risk to him. That is in all probability the hardest struggle he’s ever had. His group all the time talks about his takedown protection and that the followers don’t actually know the way good it’s. We’re going to learn how good it’s this weekend.
“This can be a powerful struggle for Alex. Alex comes out of this the way in which he’s come out of each different struggle, he may be the pound-for-pound greatest fighter on this planet.”
Based mostly on the MMA Preventing World Rankings, Pereira at present sits at No. 2 behind Makhachev so it’s fully potential that he might doubtlessly soar to the highest spot with a standout efficiency.
Ankalaev has lengthy been thought-about probably the greatest gentle heavyweights on this planet and he arguably ought to have already fought Pereira however timing and circumstances have prevented the matchup from occurring till now.
The struggle serves as Pereira’s fifth straight foremost occasion and seventh headlining spot total since he joined the UFC roster again in 2021.
White praised Pereira for his speedy ascension up the ranks whereas offering followers with a brand new favourite fighter who all the time brings the motion each time he competes. Add to that, White says that Pereira is prepared and keen to face anyone the UFC throws at him — together with potential fights at heavyweight.
“Alex is that man for us proper now,” White mentioned. “The factor that individuals love about Alex is clearly his combating type. He tries to knock your head off. Individuals love that. He was on trip in Australia and a struggle fell out and we would have liked him. He actually left trip and got here and fought. This man will actually struggle anyone, wherever, any time.
“He is available in, he’s pure violence. He tries to knock you out. Doesn’t duck anyone. Has moved up a weight class, is keen to maneuver as much as heavyweight and struggle whoever.”
With regards to heavyweight, Pereira has acknowledged on quite a lot of events that he’s occupied with probably difficult Jon Jones in a champion versus champion struggle. Jones has additionally expressed curiosity within the struggle and whereas White has shied away from that matchup prior to now, he didn’t completely shut down the concept on Wednesday.
“He’s keen to struggle [Jon Jones]. He’s keen to struggle anyone proper now,” White mentioned about Pereira.
“Jones will struggle anyone, too. Don’t let the web idiot you about Jon Jones. He does wish to do [the fight with Alex Pereira].”
White added that he’s at present focusing on “this summer time” for Jones’ return, though it’s more likely the UFC desires him to face Tom Aspinall subsequent in a heavyweight title unification bout than throwing down with Pereira. In fact something is feasible, particularly if Pereira torches Ankalaev and as soon as once more requires the Jones struggle as his subsequent problem.
