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Alex Pereira is the new UFC middleweight champion. At UFC 281, 'Poatan' overcame the most daunting challenge that the 185lbs division has had since Anderson Silva by dethroning Israel Adesanya. Given the history between the two men, an immediate rematch appears to be the UFC's plan.
The promotion adores rivalries due to them being long-term revenue streams. However, it's been implied that 'The Last Stylebender' might not face the former two-division Glory kickboxing champion next. Instead, other opponents might be considered for the champion.
Unfortunately, Alex Pereira is limited in who he can next face given the lack of worthy challengers at middleweight. Darren Till and Kelvin Gastelum, for example, are both on losing streaks and nowhere near the top five. However, there are some who can be booked into a title fight against 'Poatan'. Below are five of them.
#5. Jared Cannonier
The unfortunate part of the equation is that Jared Cannonier is coming off a loss to Israel Adesanya. 'The Killa Gorilla' is currently scheduled to face Sean Strickland at UFC Fight Night 216 later this month. Given the shallowness of the middleweight division, a win would spring him right back into title contention.
It wouldn't be the first time a fighter has earned a second crack at a title after rebounding with a single win. If Cannonier flattens Strickland with an impressive KO this December, it could lead to another title fight. This time, however, his opponent will be another power-puncher.
A bout against Alex Pereira would be easy for the UFC to market. Both men are powerful KO artists whose finishes trigger excitement among fans. Additionally, given the UFC's interest in a rematch between 'Poatan' and Israel Adesanya, Jared Cannonier represents a safe option.
While the promotion awaits the Nigerian-born New Zealander's return, Cannonier can fight Pereira. He is no wrestler and won't be favored to defeat a kickboxing champion in a striking match.
#4. Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland has already lost to Alex Pereira, so fan interest in a rematch might be low. However, like Jared Cannonier, 'Tarzan' is in a position to earn a title fight if he manages to defeat his foe this December. The UFC has few options due to the shallow nature of the division.
The promotion can use footage of Alex Pereira's recollection of how he felt about facing 'Tarzan'. According to the Brazilian power-puncher, he was scared to fight Sean Strickland due to the latter's over-the-top personality. He was convinced that his foe would try to kill him.
It can be used to drum up some fan interest via video packages. Furthermore, Strickland's assertion that he should have approached the bout differently grants the UFC a narrative they can exploit. How would Strickland fare if he approaches the bout with his entire MMA skillset?
#3. Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa recently ended the first losing streak of his career. The Brazilian bruiser defeated former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in UFC 278's Fight of the Night. At the moment, 'Borrachinha' is embroiled in negotiations regarding a bout against Robert Whittaker, another former champion.
If he emerges victorious, he'll more than have earned a second crack at the divisional throne. The matchup would have a fair amount of intrigue. Brazilians rarely fight their fellow countrymen in the UFC. That said, Alex Pereira and Paulo Costa would undoubtedly have a thrilling matchup that would entertain the fans.
'Borrachinha' is a high-volume pressure fighter who traps opponents against the fence before swarming them. Meanwhile, 'Poatan' is an ominous knockout artist who uses patient pressure to draw out punches he can counter with his left hook.
Costa represents a safe matchup that the UFC can use to build Pereira for a rematch with Adesanya. He is not a one-punch knockout artist, instead overwhelming his foes with clubbing blows and pressure.
He is also likely to run himself into Alex Pereira's counter-left hook to grant his fellow countryman a highlight-reel win.
#2. Robert Whittaker
The No.2-ranked middleweight in the UFC is potentially the biggest threat to Alex Pereira's new reign as the divisional kingpin. A complete fighter with the most polished skillset at middleweight, Robert Whittaker is coming off a win against Marvin Vettori, having dominated the Italian unlike anyone prior.
He remains the only middleweight ranked in the top five who isn't coming off a loss. Furthermore, with the exception of Israel Adesanya, 'The Reaper' has defeated every other middleweight ranked in the top five. It would be easy to book him into a title fight without any questions regarding the merits of doing so.
The UFC can market a potential title fight between him and 'Poatan' by referencing how effective Adesanya's wrestling was against the Brazilian. Whittaker is a much better offensive and defensive wrestler than his Kiwi rival.
Thus, if Alex Pereira overcomes 'The Reaper', the UFC can build towards an Adesanya rematch with even greater fan interest. They can sell 'Poatan's' performance as evidence of enormous improvement and that he'll be even better in the rematch.
#1. Khamzat Chimaev
Another serious threat to Alex Pereira's divisional crown is Khamzat Chimaev. While the undefeated Chechen-born Swede will be at a serious size disadvantage against 'Poatan', the sheer strength of his wrestling and grappling skills cannot be overlooked.
'Borz' recently challenged the Brazilian power-puncher to a title fight. He further claimed that he'd finish his potential foe with relative ease due to his superior wrestling. Pereira welcomed the challenge before claiming that the unbeaten phenom declined to take him up on the offer.
Mocking his rival, 'Poatan' posted footage of himself participating in an indigenous wrestling match in Brazil. The fight will likely do well in terms of generating pay-per-view buys due to Chimaev's stardom and the notoriety that Pereira gained from defeating Adesanya.
Furthermore, the chance that fans would have of seeing a smaller fighter potentially capturing a title would generate even greater interest. It is one of the few big fights that the promotion can offer Pereira given the state of the middleweight division.
