Fight fans are abuzz after realizing that light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has matched Khabib Nurmagomedov’s UFC title defenses in just 175 days.
To provide some context, Nurmagomedov claimed the lightweight title at UFC 223 in 2018 with a unanimous decision victory over Al Iaquinta. His title defenses were strategically spaced out, with only one fight per year following his crowning. When he retired in 2020, he had successfully defended the title three times.
In stark contrast, Pereira has established himself as one of the most active champions in UFC history. The 37-year-old captured the 205-pound title with a TKO victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 last year. However, he has already defended his title three times in 2024, matching Nurmagomedov’s record.
Pereira’s first title defense came against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, followed by a win over Prochazka at UFC 303, and most recently, a TKO victory over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 this past weekend.
This remarkable achievement has sparked a heated debate among fans eager to compare the legacies of both fighters.
@dseanmac weighed in, stating, “Different mentalities, one’s a warrior, one’s a b*tch.” Meanwhile, @JakeTheShieldsTS added, “That’s why Khabib cannot be the GOAT.”
In a fascinating twist, Pereira is now tied with other UFC greats, including reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier, for title defenses within a single weight class.
Pereira vs. Nurmagomedov: A Battle of Finishes
Both Alex Pereira and Khabib Nurmagomedov stand out as two of the most dominant champions in UFC history, boasting impressive finishing records. Interestingly, they are tied in terms of UFC finishes, each with seven to their name. Pereira has achieved seven knockout victories, while Nurmagomedov has five submissions and two TKO wins.
Pereira’s most recent finish was a fourth-round TKO against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. In contrast, Nurmagomedov’s last finish came in his retirement fight at UFC 254 in 2020 against Justin Gaethje
