Alex Pereira may have closed down voting for Fighter of the Year in 2024 with his third title defense inside six months at UFC 307, but has he also cemented himself as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport?
That’s the argument UFC analyst Alan Jouban made on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer when addressing Pereira’s impressive performance where he scored a fourth-round knockout to finish Rountree. That moves Pereira to 3-0 for the year with three knockouts in three title fights, he’s 5-0 at light heavyweight and he became a two-division UFC champion in only seven bouts with the organization.
“Alex Pereira — I think he should be No. 1 pound-for-pound in the world right now,” Jouban said. “Because of his activity and performances. He’s carrying the UFC single-handedly right now. Alex Pereira deserves I think to be up there at No. 1.”
Right now, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is ranked as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport by the UFC and by the MMA Fighting Global Rankings with Pereira cemented at No. 2 on both lists.
While Makhachev has only tasted defeat once in his career, and he’s currently riding a 14-fight win streak with victories over three former UFC champions, Jouban believes there are still some flaws on his recent resume that don’t match the work that Pereira is putting in lately.
“Islam, yes I think he beat the more established names that you mentioned when you talk about [Alexander] Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier,” Jouban said. “But when you look at the two names right there, Volkanovski as we just said it’s obvious, but he’s a [featherweight] coming up in weight. So he was one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but he was a guy that was undersized fighting up in weight.
“Dustin Poirier, as good as he is and as established as a name, this was the easier fight for them. They hand-picked Dustin Poirier. Yes, he was the guy available, but he was also the guy that they knew he doesn’t defend takedowns well, and he’s lost all of his title fights by choke. So they took somewhat the easier path right here and hand-picked Poirier. That’s why I have to discredit some of it. I think there’s credit, but that’s why I would put Pereira above him.”
Jouban also pushes back against UFC CEO Dana White stating that he believes Jon Jones is still the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport despite not competing since March 2023, which was his first appearance in over three years.
While it’s much more difficult to deny Jones’ place as arguably the greatest fighter of all-time, Jouban believes his recent inactivity compared to somebody like Pereira is what costs him on the pound-for-pound list.
“The argument that Dana White keeps talking about is Jon Jones is still No. 1 — we know he’s the GOAT, but he hasn’t done enough recently, and that’s why a lot of people disagree with Dana because he hasn’t been fighting, he hasn’t been active in the last couple of years so how can you put him at No. 1?” Jouban said. “So if we’re talking about recent success the guy that just defended his belt, three knockouts in 175 days against top tier competition and carried events.
“[Alex Pereira] continues to defend his belt and finish fights on the biggest cards that they can possibly make. That’s why my argument of look at the recent progress that he has had. I give him that one. That’s the way I look at it. He’s done so much lately, and it’s a what have you done for me lately sport.”
If there’s any question about Pereira’s standing among the pound-for-pound best in the sport, Jouban believes his next fight should satisfy those curiosities.
Magomed Ankalaev faces Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308, and with a win, he should almost certainly end up as Pereira’s next opponent.
Most believe Ankalaev was the most deserving fighter ahead of UFC 307, but if Pereira can vanquish him the same way he’s gone through Rountree, Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka, then it’s going to be awfully tough to keep him out of that top spot.
“His activity is so much, he’s carrying the UFC, but the argument for me would be about has he done enough?” Jouban said. “It’s just about has he showed that well-roundedness? Because he’s had predominantly strikers in his career.
“A win over [Magomed] Ankalaev is a no-brainer. This is the guy that’s carrying the UFC right now and now he has passed all tests.”
