Din Thomas, a seasoned figure in MMA as a fighter, coach, and analyst, found himself awestruck by the emergence of Alex Pereira in the UFC. Pereira’s recent victory at UFC 303, where he brutally knocked out Jiri Prochazka to retain his light heavyweight title, marked a pivotal moment.
For Thomas, Pereira’s options now abound: he could continue dominating at 205 pounds against top contenders like Magomed Ankalaev, or he could boldly move up to heavyweight, eyeing a shot at becoming the UFC’s first three-division champion.
Thomas firmly advocates for Pereira to aim high — specifically, to challenge Jon Jones at heavyweight. Despite the likelihood that Jones might decline such a bout, Thomas believes it’s a move worth making to cement Pereira’s legacy.
He views Pereira not just as a fighter, but as a phenomenon akin to past supernovas in the sport like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones himself.
Reflecting on Pereira’s rapid rise, Thomas describes him as a rare breed, attributing his success to a convergence of factors — from skill and timing to sheer luck. He draws parallels to past fighters like B.J. Penn, who similarly burst onto the scene with unparalleled impact.
Pereira’s journey, supported by his transition from kickboxing and strategic moves like training under Glover Teixeira, has impressed Thomas deeply, despite Pereira not yet speaking English fluently.
Looking forward, Thomas speculates on potential matchups for Pereira, including the possibility of him facing Jones if a bout with Stipe Miocic doesn’t materialize. He sees Pereira as a fighter who has harnessed a unique combination of skills and opportunities, making him a standout figure in the sport’s history.
Thomas regards Pereira’s ascent as nothing short of remarkable, emphasizing the significance of witnessing such a talent in real-time within the MMA landscape.
