The idea of winning three UFC titles was largely unheard of until Alex Pereira came along.
It’s Never Been Done Before
We’ve seen multiple fighters including Pereira become two-weight world champions but no fighter has ever held onto a belt at a third weight class with “Poatan” aiming to be the first, if the opportunity so presents itself. The former UFC Middleweight and current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion has floated a move up to heavyweight after back-to-back title defenses over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 and Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 just a few weeks ago, to the approval of many fans around the world.
Ever since, UFC CEO Dana White has apparently been pestered to give Pereira a chance at making even more UFC history.
“It’s a possibility,” White said of Pereira going up to heavyweight to challenge for a third title (via ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq‘. “I mean, [Joe] Rogan is pushing me right now to try and make that fight.”
Gooden “Can See A World” Where Pereira Gets The Golden Opportunity
Speaking of commentators, John Gooden is one to weigh in on Pereira’s potential of becoming a three-weight world champion. While Gooden would traditionally like to see champions like Leon Edwards “solidify their spot” in the divisions they rule, he did admit there are “outliers” like Pereira, who could make some fun fights happen at heavyweight.
“I can see a world in which it happens,” Gooden told Middle Easy about Pereira possibly awaiting the winner of Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 (interim title fight). “He’s been such a great company man. Like, look at what he’s accomplished this year on the stages this year. And of course, with the short notice, it’s just phenomenal.
“I don’t want to contradict what I said earlier, I really do like to see people defend their titles, but when you’ve got something staring you in the face, which is so historic. Do you almost give him that? Do you give him that? Given his age and everything else, when will this come around again, this opportunity for the three weight champ?”
“Now, We’re Actually Staring At The Potential…”
Over the years, we haven’t seen too many fighters talking about holding a third world title, but it has been said before. Shortly after becoming the UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion, Conor McGregor talked about taking Tyron Woodley’s title at 170.
Khamzat Chimaev and former title challenger Darren Till also spoke to accomplishing the incredible feat when they were still very much on the rise, but it has been to no avail so far. For Pereira, it’s 2/3 titles with one left to go…
“I remember speaking to Khamzat, and bless him, he’s been so unlucky with illness and various other things, but he was talking about three weight and I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness, like three weight championship credentials? When did that even become a thing?” Gooden continued. “But now we’re actually staring at the potential of it. I mean, a lot of work to get done, certainly, whether it be Curtis Blaydes or indeed Tom Aspinall or Jon Jones. I mean, I can see a world where it happens, for sure.
“There are great options out there and isn’t it so cool that we’re talking about all of these different things around the heavyweight title and it just hasn’t been as exciting as it is in the last five years.”
