Brendan Miller
If the true purpose of pound-for-pound rankings is to quantify the minimal difference between seemingly equal elite fighters, the actual ability to carry one’s greatness across multiple divisions must be a value-weighted trait.
From that standpoint alone, the journey currently undertaken through just eight trips by Alex Pereira to the Octagon is unique enough in itself, as the light heavyweight king, and former middleweight champion, has now set in motion plans for a possible attack on a third division in heavyweight.
That’s, at least, the direction Pereira hoped to turn things after his dominant performance in Saturday’s UFC 300 main event, when he defeated former champion Jamahal Hill in the first defense of his 205-pound title and publicly lobbied along to UFC bosses to allow him a quick turnaround – to heavyweight no less – at UFC 301 on May 4 in his home country of Brazil.
UFC CEO Dana White didn’t seem as enthusiastic, however, during the post-fight press conference when he made reference to the fact that Pereira already has his hands full at light heavyweight.
Whether or not he gets the opportunity to explore third-division options, the 36-year-old slugger deserves every opportunity to find out how great he can be.
In less than three years in the UFC, after a decorated campaign as a two-division champion with Glory kickboxing, Pereira has already etched his name in the history books seemingly overnight. While he certainly benefited from a previous non-MMA rivalry with Israel Adesanya to quickly advance to title contention, Pereira’s ability to deliver when the pressure is on remains a sight to behold.
Even a disastrous knockout loss in his immediate MMA rematch against Adesanya didn’t stop his ambition or determination, as Pereira returned just three months later to begin an incredible three-fight assault to the top of the 205-pound division, surviving and advancing against the former champions Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka before Hill’s submission.
For a fighter who everyone expected to be one-dimensional in his transition to MMA and his eventual partnership with mentor Glover Teixeira, Pereira quickly eliminated his most vulnerable areas of his skill set, including takedown defense and responsible head movement for an attacker. . which regularly operates within striking range.
However, Pereira’s success cannot be attributed solely to his power. His ability to game plan and adapt under pressure is incredible, as he was able to translate his years of elite combat experience into MMA proficiency in near-record time. He is also incredibly fit and carries his power into the championship rounds despite having such a large frame.
Best of all, Pereira seems to exude a level of extreme mental focus and a willingness to endure whatever the pursuit demands, which is just different. He embodies all the elements that make up a mythical warrior (and has an incredibly cool talent with which he pays homage to his indigenous Brazilian history to the point of making it the fabric of his personal brand).
Pereira is not a perfect fighter by any means. And what appears to be an inevitable encounter with an elite fighter like Magomed Ankalaev could very well be his light heavyweight kryptonite.
But if anyone is capable of climbing the mountain to UFC gold for the third time, it might be Pereira, because, above all, he knows how to win. And when you combine that with an equal desire to constantly improve your tools between fights while deftly navigating the politics of competition, you have the makings of an organic, emerging star.
For updated divisional rankings from CBS Sports, Click here.
Men’s weight-by-weight classification
1. Islam Makhachev – Lightweight Champion
Record: 25-1 | Previous Ranking: #1
Two title defenses against former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski, including a head knockout in their UFC 294 rematch, helped Makhachev win the 2023 fighter of the year award. The 32-year-old will return on June 1 at UFC. 302 when it welcomes former interim titleholder Dustin Poirier.
2. Jon Jones – heavyweight champion
Record: 27-1, 1 NC | Previous rating: 2
Jones’ first heavyweight title defense, scheduled for last November against former champion Stipe Miocic, was canceled after Jones suffered a torn chest during training. An eight-month recovery is expected for Jones, who turns 37 this summer, as the UFC remains firm that Miocic, not interim champion Tom Aspinall, will be next.
3. Alex Pereira – Light Heavyweight Champion
Record: 10-2 | Previous rating: 4
Not only did the 36-year-old Brazilian slugger headline the biggest event in the promotion’s history, UFC 300, in April, but he also submitted former 205-pound champion Jamahal Hill with the first significant punch he ever landed. In just eight UFC fights after a stint in the Glory kickboxing Hall of Fame, “Poatan” has already earned a unique place in history.
4. Leon Edwards – welterweight champion
Record: 21-3, 1 NC | Previous rating: 3
If anyone felt Edwards’ run to the 170-pound title was a fluke, his UFC 286 trilogy over Kamaru Usman silenced those who doubted it. His second title defense, against Colby Covington in December, brought Edwards another dominant victory, but with much booing for the lack of action thanks to Covington’s avoidance.
5. Ilia Topuria – featherweight champion
Record: 15-0 | Previous rating: 5
A changing of the guard at the top of the 145-pound division at UFC 298 in February could have produced the sport’s next superstar. Topuria did everything he said he would do against Alexander Volkanovski, including submitting him in the first two rounds. His accuracy was only surpassed by the power of a punch as Topuria patiently dismantled one of the best fighters in history.
6. Max Holloway – featherweight
Record: 26-7 | Previous classification: NR
Don’t call it a comeback, Holloway has been among the P4P elite for years. But it was that three-fight winning streak at the age of 32 that was so rejuvenating. Two years ago, after his third loss to Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway’s future was in doubt. Now, he is the current BMF champion after his immediate knockout over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 and a two-division title contender.
7. Sean O’Malley – bantamweight champion
Record: 17-1, 1 NC | Previous rating: 8
The “Suga Show” had possibly the best striking of his career in five rounds when he dominated Marlon Vera at UFC 299 to make his first title defense. O’Malley avenged the only loss of his professional career and challenged featherweight champion Ilia Topuria during his post-fight interview.
8. Alexandre Pantoja – Flyweight Champion
Record: 27-5 | Previous rating: 7
The Brazilian’s submission threat relied much more on his chin and iron will to defeat Brandon Moreno via split decision at UFC 290, in one of the most exciting and savage fights in flyweight history. At 33, Pantoja already has three wins over Moreno and returned in December to record a tough decision over Brandon Royval in his first title defense. On May 4th, he returns as the main attraction of UFC 301, in Rio de Janeiro, against Steve Erceg.
9. Dricus du Plessis – middleweight champion
Record: 21-2 | Previous rating: 9
Undefeated in his seven trips to the Octagon, the proud South African native can now call himself champion after defeating Sean Strickland via split decision at UFC 297 in January. Du Plessis, who called up former champion Israel Adesanya next, has evolved at an alarming rate to combine technique and a deep gas tank with his great power and takedown threat.
10. Merab Dvalishvili – bantamweight
Record: 17-4 | Previous rating: 10
By improving his winning streak to 10 fights, Dvalishvili finally secured a title shot thanks to his victory over Henry Cejudo at UFC 298. The victory now gives Dvalishvili three consecutive victories over former UFC champions. Dvalishvili, 33, has a gas tank like no other and remains a problem for any style of opponent he faces.
Give up: Carlos Oliveira
It has been lost: Alexander Volkanovski, Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, Aljamain Sterling, Dustin Poirier
Women’s weight-for-weight classifications
1. Zhang Weili – strawweight champion
Record: 25-3 | Previous Ranking: #1
Zhang improved to 9-0 in the UFC against everyone not named Rose Namajunas when she outlived fellow Chinese Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 and did so by relying on his cardio, IQ and improved grappling after nearly scoring two early finishes. Her toughest test may yet be to come, in the form of Tatiana Suarez.
2. Alexa Grasso – flyweight champion
Record: 16-3-1 | Previous rating: 2
The Mexican teamed up with former champion Valentina Shevchenko to co-author an exciting and tactical 125-pound title rematch at Noche UFC. The result was a split draw as defending champions Grasso benefited from a controversial 10-8 final round score to narrow the defeat. The two fighters will train against each other on “The Ultimate Fighter” this spring before a trilogy fight in the fall.
3. Valentina Shevchenko – flyweight
Record: 23-4-1 | Previous ranking: #3
The future all-time great nearly regained the flyweight title from Alexa Grasso in their September rematch. The result was a hard-fought draw, with Shevchenko openly considering an appeal afterwards. Now 36, Shevchenko will train alongside Grasso on TUF before a likely third meeting at Noche UFC this fall.
4. Manon Fiorot – flyweight
Record: 12-1 | Previous rating: 5
A five-round decision over the sizzling Erin Blanchfield appears to be the final hurdle the 34-year-old Frenchman will have to overcome on his way to a title shot. Fiorot’s takedown defense and ability to avoid danger on the ground created the perfect setting for his precise striking to shine. For now, Fiorot will need to wait for the Grasso-Shevchenko rivalry to end.
5. Tatiana Suarez – strawweight
Record: 10-0 | Previous classification: NR
Despite missing almost four years of his prime due to chronic injuries, Suarez is back on the scene in a big way. Her dominant finish over former champion Jessica Andrade in August could be all Suarez needs to immediately return to 115-pound title contention. Few can match her fighting prowess alone, and even fewer can match the relentless competitive streak that fuels her determination.
Give up: Erin Blanchfield
It has been lost: Kayla Harrison, Blanchfield, Rose Namajunas, Raquel Pennington, Julianna Pena
