When it comes to the argument about who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, Dana White finally conceded in January that Islam Makhachev had done enough to surpass Jon Jones, but his opinion might change again after UFC 313.
On Saturday night, Alex Pereira returns to action looking for the fourth consecutive defense of his light heavyweight title when he faces Magomed Ankalaev in the main event. Since winning the title with a knockout in 2024, Pereira has followed that up with three more devastating finishes and if he’s able to do the same thing to Ankalaev, it’s possible he takes over that top spot in the mythical pound-for-pound rankings.
“He’s one of the biggest stars in the sport right now, if not the biggest star in the sport,” White said about Pereira on First Take. “What makes this weekend great is Ankalaev is a very serious threat to him. This is probably the toughest fight he’s ever had. His team always talks about his takedown defense and that the fans don’t really know how good it is. We’re going to find out how good it is this weekend.
“This is a tough fight for Alex. Alex comes out of this the way he’s come out of every other fight, he might be the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.”
Based on the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, Pereira currently sits at No. 2 behind Makhachev so it’s entirely possible that he could potentially jump to the top spot with a standout performance.
Ankalaev has long been considered one of the best light heavyweights in the world and he arguably should have already fought Pereira but timing and circumstances have prevented the matchup from happening until now.
The fight serves as Pereira’s fifth straight main event and seventh headlining spot overall since he joined the UFC roster back in 2021.
White praised Pereira for his rapid ascension up the ranks while providing fans with a new favorite fighter who always brings the action every time he competes. Add to that, White says that Pereira is ready and willing to face anybody the UFC throws at him — including potential fights at heavyweight.
“Alex is that guy for us right now,” White said. “The thing that people love about Alex is obviously his fighting style. He tries to knock your head off. People love that. He was on vacation in Australia and a fight fell out and we needed him. He literally left vacation and came and fought. This guy will literally fight anybody, anywhere, any time.
“He comes in, he’s pure violence. He tries to knock you out. Doesn’t duck anybody. Has moved up a weight class, is willing to move up to heavyweight and fight whoever.”
When it comes to heavyweight, Pereira has acknowledged on more than a few occasions that he’s interested in possibly challenging Jon Jones in a champion versus champion fight. Jones has also expressed interest in the fight and while White has shied away from that matchup in the past, he didn’t totally shut down the idea on Wednesday.
“He’s willing to fight [Jon Jones]. He’s willing to fight anybody right now,” White said about Pereira.
“Jones will fight anybody, too. Don’t let the internet fool you about Jon Jones. He does want to do [the fight with Alex Pereira].”
White added that he’s currently targeting “this summer” for Jones’ return, although it’s much more likely the UFC wants him to face Tom Aspinall next in a heavyweight title unification bout than throwing down with Pereira. Of course anything is possible, especially if Pereira torches Ankalaev and once again calls for the Jones fight as his next challenge.
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