Alex Pereira has etched his name in UFC history, becoming the ninth fighter to capture championships in two weight classes. The Brazilian striker stopped Jiri Prochazka via TKO at 4:08 of the second round in the main event of UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden, claiming the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship.
Image of Alex Pereira celebrating his victory
Pereira’s victory marks an incredible feat, as he has accomplished this remarkable achievement in just seven UFC fights, the fastest to two championships in UFC history. No other fighter has held both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles.
In the highly anticipated bout, Pereira dropped Prochazka with a devastating left hook, sending him reeling against the cage. Pereira capitalized on the opportunity, securing mount position and raining down a barrage of punches and elbows. Despite Prochazka’s attempts to defend, referee Marc Goddard mercifully stopped the fight, much to the dismay of some fans.
Pereira defended his decision, stating, “I’m not surprised after the first left hook. He fell down on my legs, and I looked for the finish. I don’t think it was a bad stoppage.”
Prochazka, a renowned fighter in his own right, acknowledged the stoppage’s validity. “I think it was right,” he admitted. “I was out. But you know, I will never stop.”
With Pereira’s triumph, the UFC light heavyweight title may finally find some stability after a tumultuous period. Jon Jones, widely considered the division’s greatest fighter, vacated the title before moving up to heavyweight, leaving a void that Pereira seems poised to fill.
Pereira’s next potential opponent could be Israel Adesanya, his former kickboxing rival. However, Adesanya has recently indicated that he may take some time off from fighting. A more likely scenario is a matchup against Jamahal Hill, once Hill recovers from his Achilles tendon injury.
Regardless of his next opponent, Alex Pereira has undoubtedly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the UFC. His meteoric rise and impressive skill set have captivated fans worldwide, and his future in the promotion is undoubtedly bright.
