Daniel Cormier & Ben Askren Discuss Alex Pereira's Realistic Chances Of Winning The UFC HW Title

Originally posted on MMA News | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated 12/8/23

Despite arriving in the UFC as a middleweight contender, it was clear to see that Alex Pereira would have a future at a higher weight class in MMA.

"Poatan" cut a huge amount of weight to make 185-pounds but it paid off for him in becoming the middleweight champion in just his eighth MMA fight.

After losing the title in a rematch with Israel Adesanya, Pereira moved up to the light heavyweight division where he has been able to replicate his success.

At UFC 295 he defeated Jiri Prochazka to win the vacant title and write his name into the exclusive list of fighters to win titles at multiple weights in the UFC.

Pereira's coach and former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira recently commented on the Brazilian's potential to move up to heavyweight.

Given his huge size even for the light heavyweight division, Daniel Cormier asked Ben Askren the question, could Pereira be the one to become the first fighter to win belts in three different weight classes in the UFC.

On the latest episode of Funky & The Champ, Askren said that it is hard to deny him at this point even if it would be more impressive had he never lost the 185-pound title.

"I mean at this point I'm going to say yes, for sure he is the most likely but when I was thinking three titles, it wasn't to me that you won in three different weight classes, it was that you held them all."

"Double champ is simultaneous" Cormier responded.

Daniel Cormier And Ben Askren Debate How Pereira Would Fare Up At Heavyweight

Both Cormier and Askren agreed that Pereira might have the best chance of anyone to accomplish this feat due to his ability to make middleweight despite his size.

They did, however, point out that his biggest weakness could be exploited in moving up another weight class where some dangerous grapplers sit at the top.

"I definitely think he has a chance but I'm picking Aspinall or Jon Jones over Pereira." Askren claimed.

Cormier continued, stating that the two current titleholders at heavyweight would give Pereira a lot of problems even if he has the potential to compete at that weight.

"I think it would be hard though, to heavyweight would be tough just because of the wrestling aspect and once he gets down, the amount of weight that those guys have."

"If Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall are on top of you, that's going to be not good." Askren responded.

Cormier would also recall how Alex Pereira clamped down on Jiri Prochazka's hands when in bottom position at UFC 295 - a tactic he felt would allow Jon Jones to 'tear him up' with elbows should he look to replicate it at heavyweight.

This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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