UFC legends make compelling case for Alex Pereira to be the face of the promotion ahead of title fight rematch

Alex Pereira will be back in action next weekend to save UFC 303

After Conor McGregor was forced out of his huge return fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, the promotion called the two men they knew would be willing to drop everything on just a few weeks’ notice.

Now Alex Pereira rematches Jiri Prochazka for the light heavyweight title in the main event, with the Brazilian stating on social media last week: “I understand that this fight is very close and there may be issues with the lead-up time, BUT if there is someone who can make this happen, that’s me! POATAN!

“This is why I’m one of the biggest names in the UFC Alex Pereira!!! I take risks that no one else would want to take, but I know I have my ancestors with me. The spirits are with me and I am ready.”

UFC legends are debating whether Alex Pereira is the face of the promotion

On the latest episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy, former two-time champion Daniel Cormier and former title challenger Chael Sonnen argued that Poatan’s global star power is not only a facet of his success, but is also becoming a sharp marketing point for the UFC.

“Can you imagine how much money he’s making now; he says yes to everything… Headlining Madison Square Garden twice, headlining UFC 300, which was a monster, he’s stepping in again for UFC 303 on short notice.

“The guy is getting paid, but not only is he getting paid, Alex Pereira’s star (power) continues to grow,” Cormier argued, before acknowledging that the Brazilian fan favorite is now being mentioned alongside some ‘notorious’ superstars.

“Now it’s always going to be hard to top Conor McGregor when it comes to star power. You still have Israel Adesanya, you still have Jon Jones, but when I think about the face of the company, because of his durability, his activity, his willingness to fight, champion of two divisions – (Alex Pereira).

To his credit, Sonnen initially argued that Pereira had not yet surpassed bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley in terms of global appeal, before noting that the Brazilian is one step away from the weight class being more than just the face of the UFC. , but the undisputed GOAT.

“Last year he was my fighter of the year, he won the 185-pound title and the 205b title in the same calendar year and he is one win away from making the argument that GOAT is no longer an argument.

“We won’t even have the discussion anymore about whether Pereira would go in and take it (at heavyweight). I don’t care if it’s Tom (Aspinall’s) interim title or if he gets it from Jon Jones, if he were to stop talking about GOAT, that would be a done deal.”

A willingness to intervene on short notice, the ability to end any fight with a single punch and a mythical appearance: it’s no surprise that the UFC is pushing Alex Pereira into superstardom.

“He was the only champion to publicly lobby to fight at UFC 300; he’s the only one who said, ‘I’ll put the belt on, I’ll put it against whoever.’

“I can’t find a fault in this man (and) if I’m Dana White, I love him – I love him and I’m writing him huge checks if I’m the UFC right now.”

What do you think – will Alex Pereira be the face of the UFC when he delivers another viral knockout at UFC 303? Poatan will face Jiri Prochazka live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on June 29.

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