If the true purpose of pound-for-pound rankings is to quantify the small differences between seemingly equal elite fighters, the actual ability to convey one’s greatness across multiple weight classes is It has to be a characteristic that is valued.
From that perspective alone, the journey that Alex Pereira is currently embarking on through just eight trips to the Octagon, with the light heavyweight king and former middleweight title holder now in the third division. That alone is unique enough because it unleashed a possible plan of attack. Heavyweight.
At least that’s the direction Pereira was hoping to take things after his dominant performance in Saturday’s UFC 300 main event. Pereira ran through former champion Jamahal Hill in his first defense of the 205-pound title and publicly lobbied UFC leaders for permission. He quickly turned things around — even at heavyweight — at UFC 301, which takes place on May 4 in his native Brazil.
However, UFC CEO Dana White was less enthusiastic, noting in the post-fight press conference that Pereira already has his hands full at light heavyweight.
Whether or not he gets a chance to explore his options in the third division, the 36-year-old slugger deserves every opportunity to see how great he can be.
In less than three years in the UFC, Pereira has already etched his name into the history books overnight after a stellar run as a two-division champion in Kickboxing Glory. While he certainly benefited from his previous rivalry outside of MMA with Israel Adesanya and quickly moved into title contention, Pereira’s ability when the pressure is on is impressive.
Despite suffering a heartbreaking KO loss in his MMA rematch with Adesanya, Pereira returned just three months later and survived the former opponent, climbing his way up to the top of the 205-pound division with an incredible three-fight assault. His ambition and determination were not discouraged. Champions Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochaska before Hill’s showcase finish.
A fighter everyone expected to be one-dimensional at the time of his transition to MMA and in his eventual partnership with mentor Glover Teixeira, Pereira excelled in takedown defense and responsible head movement as a striker. quickly strengthened the weakest areas of his skill set. He regularly moves within punching range.
But Pereira’s success is not determined by his strength alone. His game plan and ability to adapt under pressure are incredible, allowing him to translate his years of elite fighting experience into MMA prowess in near record time. He’s also incredibly healthy and shows his power in the championship rounds despite having such a large frame.
Most of all, Pereira seems to exude a level of extreme mental focus and a willingness to endure whatever the pursuit demands, which is something entirely different. He embodies all the elements that make up a mythical warrior (and has an incredibly cool talent for honoring Brazil’s indigenous history to the point of making it the fabric of his personal brand).
Pereira is by no means a perfect fighter. And what feels like an inevitable encounter with a truly elite grappler like Magomed Ankalaev could very well prove to be his light heavyweight kryptonite.
But if anyone can climb the mountain to that elusive third UFC gold medal, it might be Pereira. Because he knows how to win more than anything. And when you combine that with the same desire to deftly navigate the politics of competition while constantly improving your tools between matches, you can create organic breakout stars.
Click here for the latest divisional rankings from CBS Sports.
Men’s pound-for-pound rankings
1. Islam Makhachev — Lightweight Champion
Record: 25 wins, 1 loss | Previous ranking: 1st place
Two title defenses, including a head kick KO in a rematch with former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovskiy at UFC 294, earned Makhachev the Fighter of the Year award in 2023. The 32-year-old is scheduled to return to the UFC on June 1st. He hit .302 against former interim titleholder Dustin Poirier.
2. Jon Jones — Heavyweight Champion
Record: 27 wins, 1 loss, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 2
Jones’ first heavyweight defense, scheduled to take place against former champion Stipe Miocic last November, was canceled after Jones suffered a torn chest during training. The UFC firmly believes Miocic will be the next fighter in the fight over interim champion Tom Aspinall, and Jones, who turns 37 this summer, is expected to recover for eight months.
3. Alex Pereira — Light Heavyweight Champion
Record: 10 wins, 2 losses | Previous ranking: 4
The 36-year-old Brazilian slugger not only headlined the biggest event in UFC history at UFC 300 in April, but also finished off former 205-pound champion Jamahal Hill with his first-ever heavy punch. . After only eight fights in the UFC, “Poitan” has already carved out a unique place in history after being inducted into the Hall of Fame for Glory Kickboxing.
4. Leon Edwards — Welterweight Champion
Record: 21 wins, 3 losses, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 3
If some felt Edwards winning the 170-pound title was a fluke, his UFC 286 trilogy win over Kamaru Usman silenced those doubts. In his second title defense against Colby Covington in December, Edwards again scored a dominant victory, but was booed heavily due to the lack of action thanks to Covington’s dodges.
5. Ilia Topuria — Featherweight Champion
Record: 15-0 | Previous ranking: 5
A change of guard at the top of the 145-pound division at UFC 298 in February may have created the sport’s next breakout star. Topuria did everything he promised against Alexander Volkanovski, finishing him in the first two rounds. His accuracy was only overcome by the power of one punch as Topuria patiently dismantled one of the greatest fighters of all time.
6. Max Holloway — Featherweight
Record: 26 wins, 7 losses | Previous ranking: NR
Don’t call this a comeback, Holloway has been one of the P4P elite for years. But it was this three-fight winning streak that rejuvenated him at age 32. Two years ago, Holloway’s future was in doubt after his third loss to Alexander Volkanovski. He is currently the reigning BMF Champion and a two-division title contender after his walk-off knockout win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
7. Sean O’Malley — Bantamweight Champion
Record: 17 wins, 1 loss, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 8
‘Suga Shaw’ dominated Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in his first title defense, putting on perhaps the best shocking performance of his career over five rounds. O’Malley was mortified by his only loss in his professional career and challenged featherweight champion Ilya Topria in the post-fight interview.
8. Alexandre Pantoja — Flyweight Champion
Record: 27 wins, 5 losses | Previous ranking: 7
The Brazilian’s submission threat relied more on his chin and iron will as he cornered Brandon Moreno via split decision in one of the most thrilling and intense bouts in flyweight history at UFC 290. Pantoja, 33, now has three wins over Moreno and returned in December to score a hard-fought decision over Brandon Roybal in his first title defense. On May 4th, he will face Steve Arseg in the headliner of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro.
9. Doricas du Plessis — Middleweight Champion
Record: 21-2 | Previous ranking: 9
Undefeated in seven trips to the Octagon, the proud South African can now call himself a champion after defeating Sean Strickland by split decision at UFC 297 in January. Du Plessis, who called out former champion Israel Adesanya in the aftermath, evolved at an astonishing rate by combining his technique and deep gas tank with his big power and takedown threat.
10. Merab Dvalishvili — Bantamweight
Record: 17 wins, 4 losses | Previous ranking: 10
Following his breakthrough victory over Henry Cejudo at UFC 298, Dvalishvili extended his win streak to 10 fights and finally has a shot at the title. The victory marks Dvalishvili’s third straight victory over the former UFC champion. Dvalishvili, 33, has a gas tank like no other and remains a problem no matter what style of opponent he plays.
Eliminated: Charles Oliveira
Players missed: Alexander Volkanovski, Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, Aljamain Sterling, Dustin Poirier.
Women’s Pound-for-Pound Ranking
1. Zhang Weili — Strawweight Champion
Record: 25 wins, 3 losses | Previous ranking: 1st place
Zhang defeated Chinese compatriot Yang Xiaonan at UFC 300, improving her record to 9-0 against opponents other than Rose Namajunas. It was a result of him relying on improved cardio, IQ and grappling after coming close to finishing twice early on. But her toughest test may yet lie ahead in the form of Tatiana Suarez.
2. Alexa Grasso — Flyweight Champion
Record: 16 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw | Previous ranking: 2
The Mexican native teamed up with former champion Valentina Shevchenko to co-write an exciting and tactical 125-pound title rematch at Noche UFC. The result was a split draw as defending champion Grasso avoided defeat thanks to a controversial final round 10-8. The two fighters will be coaching each other on “The Ultimate Fighter” this spring ahead of their trilogy battles in the fall.
3. Valentina Shevchenko — Flyweight
Record: 23 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw | Previous ranking: 3rd place
The future great nearly regained the flyweight title from Alexa Grasso in a rematch in September. The result was a controversial draw, and Shevchenko publicly considered appealing in the aftermath. Now, Shevchenko, 36, will coach Grasso’s opponent at TUF before a likely third fight at Norce UFC this fall.
4. Manon Fioreau — Flyweight
Record: 12-1 | Previous ranking: 5
The final hurdle for the 34-year-old from France to claim the title appears to be a five-round shutout decision against rising star Erin Blanchfield. Her fiorot takedown defense and her ability to avoid danger on the ground set the perfect stage for her pinpoint striking to shine. For now, Fioroto will have to wait until the rivalry between Grasso and Shevchenko plays out.
5. Tatiana Suarez — Strawweight
Record: 10-0 | Previous ranking: NR
Despite missing nearly four years of his prime due to chronic injuries, Suarez has returned to the scene in a big way. Suarez’s dominant submission victory over former champion Jessica Andrade in August could be enough to get her back into 115-pound title contention soon. Few can match her grappling prowess, and even fewer can match the relentless competitiveness that fuels her determination.
Eliminated: Erin Blanchfield
Missed: Kayla Harrison, Blanchfield, Rose Namajunas, Raquel Pennington, Juliana Pena
