Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira, the current UFC bantamweight champion, revealed where he excels over his former opponent, former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

"Honestly, I don't know, man. You have to see the criteria they use. Adesanya has made a few title defenses, but I haven't been able to make any middleweight defenses. However, there are things I have done: I was able to become a two-time champion. Izzy made attempts to become a two-time champion, but he couldn't. It doesn't bother me because it doesn't matter what classification you are given. What matters is what you do and inspiring people. And I think I am very good at it," Pereira said in an interview with Brazilian journalist Lavierte Viena.

Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan called out Jamal Hill's biggest mistake in his fight with Alex Pereira.

"Look at Jamal, after he threw a groin strike, his legs tucked and he relaxed. He showed his thumb and Pereira touched the ref and then the fight resumed. Pereira didn't lose focus. The fight continued, but would it have happened if Hill hadn't shown him the thumb? It was a strange moment, with no one realizing what was going on. But Pereira kept moving forward and shortened the distance. And he shortened the distance much more than Jamal would have let him. That's Jamal's mistake, always protect yourself," Rogan said on his podcast.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamal Hill shared his thoughts on a potential bout between current belt holder Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev.

"I think Ankalaev will be the next challenger. Ancalaev's standup is a problem for Pereira. Pereira doesn't fight well against left-handers. Magomed can also use wrestling and grappling, and he can punch and is comfortable on the feet. I would probably favor Ankalaev in this fight," - quotes the American Middle Easy.

Recall that on April 13 in the main event of UFC 300, Hill unsuccessfully returned to the octagon after a serious injury and a long downtime, losing to Pereira by knockout in the first round.

Anthony Smith, former UFC bantamweight title challenger, is surprised by Alex Pereira's success in the bantamweight division.

"I'm not retracting what I said. How does this guy keep winning? It's a no-brainer! He has a very limited arsenal. He's very dangerous in one aspect and very average in everything else. I'm not trying to belittle him. On the contrary - I'm amazed at what he's been able to accomplish. It's impressive. Plus, Pereira has improved his grappling. He defended against Blachowicz. But if Magomed Ankalaev had been in the same position, the fight would have been over in the first round. Ankalaev wouldn't have let him out. I can name more welterweights who would have finished Pereira. And Blachowicz didn't take his chance," MMA Fighting quoted Smith as saying.

UFC American lightweight Beneil Dariush has listed three of the promotion's champions who could win another title in the not-too-distant future.