Pereira's challengers for next year

[Geniusss]

-Jan: He is #4 ranked currently and he has been the only one able to go to the distance with Pereira at LHW. He actually took him to a Split Desicion that's why I think he gotta get another shot, he can definitely go toe to toe at stand up with those heavy hands (the legendary Polish power) and he also has some devasting low kicks and body kicks. He has been a champion before and defended it, and suoer important to point out he has some ground game and good TD's, so he can mix it up well, that's how he beat Adeaanya and almost beat Pereira himself.... Idk why he hasn't fought anymore lately but he needs to come back asap and get in the mix because if they want somebody with the most chances of beating Pereira they gotta call that man.

-Ankalaev: He is the #2 ranked currently, and since Pereira has been beating on all the top strikers in the division it seems like they are only going to be able to stop this man by taking him to the ground, that seems like the only way to beat him so far and if somebody can do that in this division, that's Ankalaev, stylistically the worst match up possible for Pereira atm. I know he got a fight coming soon so if he wins he is definitely facing Pereira next (he just gotta stop with that Abu Dabhi shit and get in the paint with Pereira wherever they tell him)

-Rakic: He is the #5 ranked currently and I think he got excellent stand up (fast, powerfull, technical, athletic, long, tall), I would like to see him beating Ankalaev so he can get the TS so we could see another high level stand up battle because this man is legit, but even if he loses he could still get a TS next year with a win or 2 because he would definitely beat Jamaha Hill + Pereira is running out if challengers already. But yeah he is an amazing striker... He was beating on Jiri baaad before getting caught, he was also beating Jan before the injury, he is mainly a striker but he would take the fight to the ground if he has to.

Now with the other divisions, I don't think Pereira should drop back down to MW (and make all that effort with the weight cut) to fight Dricus who just git the belt so he has no big name yet he is not a draw. He should only and only drop back down to 185 if Adesanya gets the belt back because their fights are huge and they are 1-1 in MMA so they can settle the score.

Going up to HW only if it's a big fight imo, because he can definitely add some 3 more title defenses at LHW next year and keep making history.

Thoughts?

 

[Geniusss]

or give the younger contenders a chance.

Like which ones ?

 

[jx820]

Ank vs Racik winner almost certainly next.

If Alex wins that... then we're either looking at rematch territory, or someone is going to have to change divisions. If I were Hill I'd be calling out Jan.

 

[Red Lantern]

Like which ones ?

Unfortunately LHW dont really have young contenders, but Nikita Krylov, Carlos Ulberg, Volkan Oezdemir even though they are not young they should be given a fight at the top.

You can't just lose and cry a rematch like Jan did. He hasnt fought since he lost to Alex, doesn't make sense to give him a title fight. He needs to at least win 2 fights.

 

[1BadMF]

Anklelev then up to heavyweight

 

[TheMadHatter]

by next year azamat murzakanov could be in title talks. especially if he wins at 309 against krylov.

 

[skylolow]

If I'm Alex I'm chilling until early 2025 then maybe Feb start training lightly and look to fight in like April. Just get healed up completely.

If Anklelev wins, which he should he'll be fighting Alex without a doubt.

After that I would go all in on Jones or Tom fight.

 

[Krixes]

Carlos Ulberg fight would be sick. I think he's just one big win away.

 

[Harlekin]

Jan will be about 42 in his next fight. With a long layoff.
Pereira got better, Jan got old.
Jan can't go 5 rounds against Pereira anymore, he will get finished.

 

[blaseblase]

I

Should be winner of Rakic vs Ankalaev next. Jan should win a fight first. Jan and Jamahal have something in common, got beaten by Alex and whine non stop. Both should fight each other or give the younger contenders a chance.

Except Jan hasn't been whining nonstop.

 

[flektarn]

Winner of Ank/Rakic makes sense.

Spoiler

Instead Dana will let him fight Aspinall for the undisputed HW title when Jones retires in November and Ank will have to sit out

 

[mma fighter]

I'd rather see him go up to heavyweight, but I do want to see how he does against Ank. See some more of Alex's ground game and see if it gets exposed.

 

[Rubios]

Alex could demolish Ank's leg (he's a southpaw, I know, but still) from range and his knees and elbows are -almost- as nasty as Jones' in the clinch.

If Ank was some sort of Islam/Khabib... sure, but I think Poatan has more than enough tools to negate his wrestling.
A leg kick heavy game plan, a huge weight rebound and keep improving his TDD/ground with Glover.

Alex will make easy work of Ankalaev.

 

[jjjjjjjjjjohnny]

looking forward to his next fight - love it when champions are active.

 

[Fedorgasm]

Jan screwed up big time by remaining inactive for so long.

He lost by split decision and is a former champ so all he had to do was pick up one quality win and he could've been in line for a rematch with Alex.

Hell, if Ank wins his fight in boring fashion then I could totally see the UFC putting Jan ahead of him if Jan had at least beaten Hill or really any top 10 guy.

 

[Snazyrazy]

-Jan: He is #4 ranked currently and he has been the only one able to go to the distance with Pereira at LHW. He actually took him to a Split Desicion that's why I think he gotta get another shot, he can definitely go toe to toe at stand up with those heavy hands (the legendary Polish power) and he also has some devasting low kicks and body kicks. He has been a champion before and defended it, and suoer important to point out he has some ground game and good TD's, so he can mix it up well, that's how he beat Adeaanya and almost beat Pereira himself.... Idk why he hasn't fought anymore lately but he needs to come back asap and get in the mix because if they want somebody with the most chances of beating Pereira they gotta call that man.

-Ankalaev: He is the #2 ranked currently, and since Pereira has been beating on all the top strikers in the division it seems like they are only going to be able to stop this man by taking him to the ground, that seems like the only way to beat him so far and if somebody can do that in this division, that's Ankalaev, stylistically the worst match up possible for Pereira atm. I know he got a fight coming soon so if he wins he is definitely facing Pereira next (he just gotta stop with that Abu Dabhi shit and get in the paint with Pereira wherever they tell him)

-Rakic: He is the #5 ranked currently and I think he got excellent stand up (fast, powerfull, technical, athletic, long, tall), I would like to see him beating Ankalaev so he can get the TS so we could see another high level stand up battle because this man is legit, but even if he loses he could still get a TS next year with a win or 2 because he would definitely beat Jamaha Hill + Pereira is running out if challengers already. But yeah he is an amazing striker... He was beating on Jiri baaad before getting caught, he was also beating Jan before the injury, he is mainly a striker but he would take the fight to the ground if he has to.

Now with the other divisions, I don't think Pereira should drop back down to MW (and make all that effort with the weight cut) to fight Dricus who just git the belt so he has no big name yet he is not a draw. He should only and only drop back down to 185 if Adesanya gets the belt back because their fights are huge and they are 1-1 in MMA so they can settle the score.

Going up to HW only if it's a big fight imo, because he can definitely add some 3 more title defenses at LHW next year and keep making history.

Thoughts?

I really can't see any interesting matchups apart from HW. LWH is a wasteland as far as I'm concerned, especially considering who perieria already fought.

Truly makes me miss Prime Gus and Rumble, both would have been seriously interesting matchups!

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Anklelev then up to heavyweight

This is what I'm hoping happens.
Poatan blasts Ank's beard into the bleachers, then fights Tom for the open belt when Jon or Stipe vacate/retire.

 

[Alpha_T83]

I actually think Ankalaev will not be next for Pereira, because I think Pereira will fight during or shortly after Ramadan. He wants to take a couple months off right now. If he starts training in January 2025, he would probably fight in March or April 2025.

From what I understand, Ankalaev can't really train during Ramadan? That means if he starts a training camp after Ramadan (ends March 29, 2025), then he won't be fighting until at least May or June 2025. Pereira will likely fight before that.

TBH I think religion is toxic and I have no respect for anyone that takes their beliefs so seriously, so I'd be more than happy to see Ankalaev cheat himself out of a title shot.

 

[Geniusss]

I really can't see any interesting matchups apart from HW. LWH is a wasteland as far as I'm concerned, especially considering who perieria already fought.

Truly makes me miss Prime Gus and Rumble, both would have been seriously interesting matchups!

It's not like HW is a stacked divisiin anyways lol

 

[Preston broadus]

Ankalaev Tom usyk