Are you not entertained? Is there anyone else for Alex Pereira?
Saving the day once more, Alex Pereira scored a highlight reel knockout when he put away Jiri Prochazka with a step up high kick in round two. “Poatan” put down his foe and now fans want to see him again. Time off or not, there will be someone waiting for the Brazilian champion once he returns. Let’s look at who could be on the docket.
The long awaited option: Magomed Ankalaev
Magomed Ankalaev: the name everyone wants to see next. If we’re being fair, however, Ankalaev’s resume is lacking. He’s beat Volkan Oezdemir, Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith in three consecutive fights. Those are title challengers. But when put against a former champion, Jan Blachowicz, he couldn’t get it done convincingly and was handed a draw. His last two fights were a no contest due to an illegal knee on Johnny Walker and then the knockout of Johnny Walker.
Not trying to downplay Ankalaev, but don’t be surprised if you don’t see him fight Alex Pereira next. He’s certainly the number one contender for the 36-year-old champion and a tough test. With great wrestling and very good striking, he is a tough test. The fight with Ankalaev is the best fight available for Pereira after UFC 303. But will Pereira take the fight? Being the new star of the UFC, he may just turn his nose up at it for something more attractive.
To be honest, there is no other viable option at 205 besides Ankalaev, who will see his ranking move to number one following Prochazka’s loss.
Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill 2?
No.
The super fight: Israel Adesanya
When Alex Pereira won at UFC 300, I pitched the Israel Adesanya pentalogy. There were some requirements for that fight to be booked, and those still hold double true. Adesanya would have to regain that belt from Dricus Du Plessis, the current middleweight champion. Now, the two are booked for a fight in two months at UFC 305. Adesanya must execute and win his title back.
Then he can set up that second shot at a second belt against an old rival who has the belt he failed to get. Pereira would get the option to avenge his last loss, a second round knockout from “The Last Stylebender.”
Champion versus champion. The MMA trilogy to settle the score. Adesanya’s second shot at a title in a second weight class, something he couldn’t do but Alex Pereira could. Stories like this don’t come around often in MMA. Adesanya needs to win. Then we fight in December.
