Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
What more needs to be said about Alex Pereira’s first half of 2024? “Poatan” has made two appearances in short order and added two knockout highlights to his ever-growing reel amid an incredible light heavyweight title run.
First, Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) headlined the historic milestone UFC 300 in April against former champion Jamahal Hill. “Poatan” needed only 3:14 to finish the fight with a sequence that began with his signature left hook after waving off an unintentional low blow.
Second, Pereira returned just over two months later to headline International Fight Week in a rematch against former champ Jiri Prochazka. Like their first meeting, this fight made it to Round 2, however, the first strike Pereira threw in the second frame was a swift left head kick to drop Prochazka, leading to a finishing swarm of punches.
Just nine fights into his UFC run, Pereira has already claimed titles in two divisions, with his eye on a third, calling for a heavyweight title bout. What else will the hottest star on the UFC roster accomplish in the second half of the year?
Other nominees:
- Islam Makhachev (1-0, 1 sub; 1 title defense)
- Ilia Topuria (1-0, 1 KO; 1 title win)
- Dricus Du Plessis (1-0, 1 dec; 1 title win)
- Sean O’Malley (1-0, 1 dec; 1 title defense)
- Max Holloway (1-0, 1 KO; BMF title win)
