Discover the future of Dustin Poirier and Alex Pereira in the world of MMA. Learn about their career crossroads, potential matchups, and the biggest moneymaker division in the sport.
The Future of Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier finds himself at a crossroads in his career following a tough loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 291. With recent losses to top lightweight contenders, Poirier’s path towards a title fight is unclear. The UFC is likely to offer him young and talented opponents to regain his momentum. However, Poirier is not keen on fighting hungry, younger foes trying to make their name off him. He wants his fights to mean something. Poirier’s best move now is to take some time off, spend time with his family, and wait for opportunities to arise. With his popularity and status as one of the best lightweights in the world, Poirier is always just one or two wins away from a title shot.
The Rise of Alex Pereira
Alex Pereira, the former middleweight champion, made his light heavyweight debut at UFC 291 with a split decision victory over Jan Blachowicz. Despite moving up in weight class and facing a former champion, Pereira proved himself as a legitimate title contender in the light heavyweight division. While Jiri Prochazka and Magomed Ankalaev currently rank ahead of Pereira, his performance against Blachowicz showcased his potential. Pereira has the power and skills to settle into the light heavyweight division and become a force to be reckoned with.
The Biggest Moneymaker Division
The middleweight division is currently the biggest moneymaker in MMA. Although Conor McGregor’s return could change the dynamics, middleweight is where the money is at the moment. UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s active schedule and potential blockbuster event against Khamzat Chimaev make this division a lucrative one. While lightweight has more depth and heavyweight has Jon Jones, middleweight consistently fills seats and holds the potential for blockbuster fights.
The Biggest Win in MMA
Apart from Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira had the biggest win in MMA this past weekend. Pereira’s victory over Jan Blachowicz, a former light heavyweight champion, solidified his position as a legitimate title contender in his new weight class. Pereira’s ability to persevere through a difficult first round and showcase his striking skills on the feet demonstrated his potential for success in the light heavyweight division.
Dream Inter-Promotion Fight
While cross-promotion fights involving the UFC are unlikely, the dream inter-promotion fight would be between Bellator’s Cris Cyborg and the PFL’s Kayla Harrison. Both women have limited options within their separate domains, and a matchup between them would create the best possible fight in women’s MMA.
Cory Sandhagen vs. Rob Font
Cory Sandhagen is the favorite in the upcoming bantamweight matchup against Rob Font. Sandhagen’s excellent footwork, unique angles, and diverse striking arsenal make him a formidable opponent. While Font has a strong jab and power in his right hand, Sandhagen’s overall skill set gives him the edge in this fight.
