Rumored Pereira vs Chimaev

[BullyKutta]

Absolutely nonsensical matchup if true. Does nothing for Alex Pereira if he wins, and skyrockets Khamzat into greatness if he wins. Stakes are beyond asymmetrical.

Also, Ankalaev is getting fucked over BIG time if true.

I'd be curious to see these two stand next to one another, just to see the size difference between the two.

It's definitely an ENTERTAINING matchup.

Ankalaev is good, but he's as marketable as a coffee stain. He does nothing for the UFC.

 

[Domitian]

Okay, so you have no real problems with Izzy vs Imavov match up itself, then? It kinda read like you had a problem with it, but it's more that they just didn't go with Izzy vs Chimaev that you have an issue with.

It makes sense to me though. Izzy is 1-3 in his last 4. Khamzat is undefeated and going towards the top, whichever division it may be. Izzy needs a step down in competition. Khamzat needs a step up. Their trajectories aren't crossing at the moment.

Note: Imavov is only a small step down. He's still a legit threat.

Yeah I'm ok with the Imavov match-up with Izzy. Alex vs Khamzat is definitely an intriguing fight to get excited for. Do you think Khamzat would be making a permanent move to LHW if he wins? I kind of feel like they could still give him a MW title shot if he lost if they really wanted too. But if he wins?

 

[Istryker]

This fight will make me a rich man, poatan that scared of Ank?

 

[Mcnugget]

I don't believe this. Why would Khamzat move up when he hasn't even gotten a chance at the MW belt?

There’s so many cool unique cross matchups in the middle to upper weight classes. Sometimes I say title picture be damned and just make fun fights


Izzy Jiri khamzat alex Strickland ddp Islam max etc should all be fighting each other

 

[omawho402]

Serious question, who isn't a fan of Poatan? Just based on in-fight perfromances and activity alone he deserves all the love he's shown. Now, if Ank somehow doesn't get the next title shot I can foresee some people being angry but it's not Poatan who will deserve the hate.

I like Alex, I just hate his fan base. Most are delusional. I believe Magomed is the guy to beat him, among others.

 

[italiamusica]

Serious question, who isn't a fan of Poatan? Just based on in-fight perfromances and activity alone he deserves all the love he's shown. Now, if Ank somehow doesn't get the next title shot I can foresee some people being angry but it's not Poatan who will deserve the hate.

Like others said, it's the fanbase that always ruins things. Alex is great, but he's a striker that's beating others who just strike, that's not MMA. I'm not going to think Alex is a GOAT of anything until he shows more game than kickboxing.

 

[Iroh]

Yeah I'm ok with the Imavov match-up with Izzy. Alex vs Khamzat is definitely an intriguing fight to get excited for. Do you think Khamzat would be making a permanent move to LHW if he wins? I kind of feel like they could still give him a MW title shot if he lost if they really wanted too. But if he wins?

I have no idea if he would stay at LHW. He probably trying to get that MW belt too. He wanted to be triple champ, remember. If he loses, which I don't think he would, they probably still give him a shot at the MW belt, yeah.

He also called out Jiri before, so that's a fight that's there too. But if he is gonna fight a LHW contender, it should be Ank. The dude has been waiting long enough. And it's a tougher stylistic match up for Khamzat, than many others are at LHW.

 

[DrRodentia]

Khamzat is a nightmare for Poatan. Especially a Khamzat that doesn't have to think about cutting weight.

 

[Petarito]

I don't believe this. Why would Khamzat move up when he hasn't even gotten a chance at the MW belt?

Because Dana White privilege. Wasting everbodys time for another Strickland shot

 

[RichardHarrow]

Im 100% this isn't happening. Poatan is a big cash cow. Dana wouldn't give a shot to someone who could win but fights so sparingly himself. Furthermore were noticing a different smarter Chimaev. The MW is within grasp and he is confident he will take DDP , so why risk it?

Also, I think he is aware that a sudden shift into LHW would be too taxing on his body. He needs a couple of fights at MW before entertaining that.

 

[Istryker]

Man ima be so Geeked if Uncle Dana gets this done

 

[Istryker]

Poatan would probably rather die than tap in that octagon too.

This shit got me GEEKING, even as a rumor

 

[Bend NvR Break]

Didn't Khamzat effortlessly beat Whittaker at 185? I don't like this (rumored) match up at all.

Strickland is getting his rematch with DDP for the MW title.
The UFC hates Ankalev and wants to protect Alex. I can see them making this fight.
Especially since Jon is going to fight Tom.

 

[IneedSometop]

If they make this fight and I'm Ank I am just demanding to be released and going to the PFL

 

[TRYHARD 2001]

I like Alex, I just hate his fan base. Most are delusional. I believe Magomed is the guy to beat him, among others.

Now that I can get behind.

Still, all the guy can do is beat the people put in front of him (which he's done) and there are basically no good grapplers at LHW these days so stylistically everything is coming up Milhouse on this one. Ankalaev may be the guy to get it done, but I'm not all that sold on his grappling and cardio being good enough to beat Poatan in a 25 minute fight. He's a damn good striker too so it's not as if he's helpless if the grappling doesn't get it done for him, but the guy also tends to lay eggs in really important fights, which is a dangerous proposition against Pereira.

The interesting thing here is that in the Bones, DC, Bader, Davis, Rashad generation a decade ago Alex would be a fringe Top 5 contender at best. Apparently they don't drill anything grappling-related when it comes to the big boys these days though, so we've been gifted some absolutely golden KTFO moments as of late.

Chama.

 

[omawho402]

Now that I can get behind.

Still, all the guy can do is beat the people put in front of him (which he's done) and there are basically no good grapplers at LHW these days so stylistically everything is coming up Milhouse on this one. Ankalaev may be the guy to get it done, but I'm not all that sold on his grappling and cardio being good enough to beat Poatan in a 25 minute fight. He's a damn good striker too so it's not as if he's helpless if the grappling doesn't get it done for him, but the guy also tends to lay eggs in really important fights, which is a dangerous proposition against Pereira.

The interesting thing here is that in the Bones, DC, Bader, Davis, Rashad generation a decade ago Alex would be a fringe Top 5 contender at best. Apparently they don't drill anything grappling-related when it comes to the big boys these days though, so we've been gifted some absolutely golden KTFO moments as of late.

Chama.

Appreciate the insightful reply, you are better than most on this forum! But for sure I like Alex as a man, he's a super cool dude and very interesting. Plus he is hilarious. And he is a deadly striker, my favorite fighter of all time is Anderson Silva and if he fought Alex I would have that fight 50/50.

 

[MDoza]

Yet he never ducked anyone. But yall Ankle huggers love you claim it. If he doesn't fight Anklet next it will be for a better fight Bonez or Khamzat . That's not ducking kid.

Jones vs. Pereira for Undisputed Duck Championship Belt

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I don't mind this, I just want Chimaev to fight soon.

 

[TheWobbler]

Is this the thing dana was working on that we wouldn't see coming in 2025?

 

[Pierce 34]

People doubting poatans grappling too much. He's under glover teixeira