Alex Pereira could break a remarkable UFC record previously set by Jon Jones if he wins his next fight.
Pereira takes on Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 9 in a bout many believe is the toughest test of his career.
The Brazilian knockout artist won the UFC light heavyweight title after stopping Jiri Prochazka in November 2023.
He then defended the belt an incredible three times in 2024, cementing his status as one of the UFC’s greatest fighters of all time.
However, the best aspect of Pereira’s title reign hasn’t necessarily been who he has knocked out to retain the 205-pound strap, but rather the time frame in which he has done it.
If Pereira beats Ankalaev at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, he would have four title defences in less than 12 months.
His first defence of the belt came against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 in April last year, before he knocked out Prochazka again in June and overcame Khalil Rountree Jr in October.
This means that if ‘Poatan’ gets past Russia’s Ankalaev, he will have racked up four light heavyweight title defences in just 329 days.
UFC heavyweight champion Jones was the last fighter to achieve this feat more than 10 years ago when he also held the 205lb strap.
He defended his light heavyweight title for the first time against Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson at UFC 135 on September 24, 2011.
Jones submitted Lyoto Machida less than three months later, before going on to defend the title again against his idol Rashad Evans in April 2012.
He then retained the belt in a main event clash with Vitor Belfort at UFC 152 on September 22 of that same year, marking four successful title defences in 364 days.
Fans were quick to react to the unbelievable record that Pereira could set if he beats Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313.
One took to X and said: “Pereira is top-five all time.”
While another added: “Pereira chasing history with a pace only Jon Jones has matched.”
A third replied: “Actual GOATs.”
The conversation also sparked the MMA world to predict who would come out victorious in a dream matchup between Pereira and Jones.
“This is the fight to make. We want to see it,” one fan said.
Jones has previously admitted he would rather fight the Brazilian fan-favourite than unify the heavyweight division with a bout against Briton Tom Aspinall.
Aspinall is the current interim heavyweight champion and has been desperate to fight Jones for months since he collected the strap in 2023.
The Salford-born man last fought at UFC Manchester in July, when he defended his status as the second best in the heavyweight division by knocking out Curtis Blaydes.
Speaking of a potential fight with Jones in February, Pereira revealed there was ‘an interest’ in making it happen.
“Even Jon Jones expressed himself,” ‘Poatan’ said. “We wanted to do it. Now it’s up to the UFC to make it happen.”
Jones took to Instagram in response to Pereira’s alarming comments earlier this month, sharing a graphic of his quotes with a ninja emoji.
If Pereira did move up weight to fight Jones, he would create history in MMA’s biggest league as one of the few fighters to hold two UFC titles simultaneously.
Only Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, Daniel Cormier and Henry Cejudo have previously achieved this feat in the UFC.
However, following the news that Ilia Topuria dropped his featherweight title to move up and challenge in the lightweight division, it is likely Pereira would have to vacate his belt if he decided to take on Jones.
Pereira is the biggest star in Dana White’s promotion right now and could cement himself as the greatest of all time in the near future.
