![Sean O'Malley [Image courtesy @sugaseanmma on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/10/383c4-16350022342941-1920.jpg)
![Sean O'Malley [Image courtesy @sugaseanmma on Instagram]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4. Alex Pereira - UFC middleweight
Alex Pereira is one of the UFC's most hyped signings of 2021. The former kickboxing world champion is known for having knocked out current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in a kickboxing bout several years ago.
Pereira is set to make his UFC debut at UFC 268. He will face off against Andreas Michailidis, who whilst being a competent fighter, does seem somewhat hand-picked for Pereira.
Pereira is still only four fights into his MMA career. Whilst his striking is unsurprisingly incredibly high level, his ground game still needs to catch up. His sole loss came by way of a rear-naked choke.
Thankfully for Pereira, Michailidis is almost entirely reliant on his striking. The result should be an exciting matchup, but one that favors Pereira's extensive kickboxing background.
Considering Pereira is still very early into his MMA career, do not be surprised if we see him matched up with more favorable opponents for his next few fights. However, it does seem inevitable that he will face off with Israel Adesanya at some point in his career.
#3. Ian Garry - UFC welterweight
Another new signing for the UFC in 2021, Ian Garry is also set to compete at UFC 268. The former Cage Warriors welterweight champion holds a perfect 7-0 record. His ability on the mic is already drawing comparisons to that of his fellow countryman Conor McGregor.
He will make his debut against Jordan Williams, who currently holds a record of 9-5. Williams is also yet to have a win inside the UFC, having been submitted by Micky Gall and outpointed by Nassourdine Imavov.
While Williams does have a good win over Gregory Rodrigues on the Contender Series, it is clear he is meant to be a lay-up up for 'The Future'. If Garry puts on a statement performance against Williams, it seems likely that his next few opponents will be of a similar caliber to further build the Irishman's highlight reel.
