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UFC commentator Joe Rogan argues Alex Pereira may be the greatest combat sports athlete of all time

UFC color commentator, Joe Rogan has certainly hyped up newly minted undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira – making the case that the Brazilian may have surpassed former two-weight UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist, Henry Cejudo in many’s eyes, as the best combat sports athlete ever. Pereira, who headlined UFC 281 earlier this month at […]

Pereira, who headlined UFC 281 earlier this month at Madison Square Garden against two-time GLORY Kickboxing rival, Israel Adesanya – clinched the undisputed middleweight crown with a stunning fifth round standing TKO victory.

Rallying after dropping three of the opening four rounds against Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya, Alex Pereira managed to stun the City Kickboxing mainstay at the fence in the final frame, dropping the champion with a left hook before scoring a standing technical knockout win to win the undisputed middleweight crown.

Arriving in mixed martial arts back in 2015, Alex Pereira has so far established a 7-1 professional record, transitioning to the sport following a decorated kickboxing career, which saw him mint himself as the undisputed middleweight and light heavyweight champion under the GLORY Kickboxing banner.

Joe Rogan heaps praise on Brazilian finisher, Alex Pereira

Comparing the resumes of both Pereira, and former flyweight and bantamweight UFC champion, Cejudo during a recent podcast appearance with Sean O’Malley on The Joe Rogan Experience, long-time promotional color-commentator, Rogan questioned if Pereira now laid claim to the status of greatest combat sports athlete ever.

“Yeah, he (Henry Cejudo) won the gold medal in the Olympics,” Joe Rogan said. “However, (Alex) Pereira, when he was fighting in GLORY (Kickboxing) – he’s fighting elite professionals, you know where, Henry is wrestling amateurs.”

Expected to make his first attempted defense of the middleweight title in an immediate title rematch with Adesanya last year, Pereira has scored other stunning knockout wins over Sean Strickland, and Andreas Michailidis during his Octagon tenure – sandwiched between a decision win against compatriot, Bruno Silva.

Alex Pereira welcomes Israel Adesanya title rematch: ‘If he really wants it, then it’s next’

Newly minted undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has claimed that if former titleholder, Israel Adesanya actually wants to share the Octagon with him in a title rematch next, he will welcome the opportunity to fight him again, although advises him to take some time away from the sport. Headlining UFC 281 earlier this month […]

Headlining UFC 281 earlier this month against the Nigerian-Kiwi, Pereira managed to scoop the undisputed middleweight crown with a rallying win over Adesanya, stopping the defending champion in the fifth round with a standing TKO win.

Off the back of the stunning victory, which came as Pereira’s third over Adesanya in their respective combat sports careers amid a pair of triumphs in professional kickboxing, the duo both welcomed an immediate championship rematch under the UFC banner.

Alex Pereira welcomes a title re-run with Israel Adesanya next

Welcoming that rematch next, Pereira admitted Adesanya likely earned a shot at reclaiming his throne immediately, however, urged him to have a good think about the potential scenario.

“It makes no difference to me if it’s him [Israel Adesanya] or another guy,” Alex Pereira told ESPN Brazil. “If I were him, though, I’d say, ‘I’m not fighting right now. I’m going to wait a little, think about what I’m going to do’. Since he wants it, though, I mean, he used to be the champion. If he really wants it, he has earned the right because he has five title defenses.”

“We had a good fight,” Alex Pereira said. “He did catch me at one point, so he believes he can beat me. It doesn’t matter to me. I’ll fight him, that’s no problem. If there are two guys. Adesanya and some other guy. I’d pick Adesanya, if I’m being honest. I’m not picking another guy just not to give Adesanya the chance. If he really wants it, then he’s next.” (Transcribed by Bloody Elbow)

Israel Adesanya Names What He’ll Do Next Time He Faces Alex Pereira

Israel Adesanya seems to feel more confident than ever that he can beat Alex Pereira in the Octagon after UFC 281. Adesanya lost to Pereira in a stunning fifth-round TKO at UFC 281. The loss was his first MMA defeat at middleweight and ended what was o…

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya Names What He’ll Do Next Time He Faces Alex Pereira at MMA News.

Michael Chandler: ‘Dustin Poirier Is Losing Sleep’ Over Fouls, Not Me

Michael Chandler has no time for Dustin Poirier’s comments on alleged fouls and is moving past their rivalry. After the UFC 281 war between Chandler and Poirier was one of the most exciting fights of the year, with the Louisiana native earning th…

Continue Reading Michael Chandler: ‘Dustin Poirier Is Losing Sleep’ Over Fouls, Not Me at MMA News.

Ex-champion Frankie Edgar officially notifies the UFC of his retirement from active competition

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion and multiple-time featherweight title challenger, Frankie Edgar, has officially notified the organization of his immediate retirement from professional mixed martial arts and active competition, calling time on an illustrious 17-year professional career. Edgar, 41, a former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, last featured professionally earlier this month at UFC 281 in […]

Edgar, 41, a former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, last featured professionally earlier this month at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden in New York.

Drawing the surging, Chris Gutierrez in his billed retirement fight, Edgar, a native of Toms River, suffered his third consecutive knockout loss, dropping a first round defeat courtesy of a brutal step-in knee strike at the bantamweight limit.

Frankie Edgar confirms his retirement from MMA to the UFC

Confirming his intentions to call time on his career ahead of his fight against the Boston-born Gutierrez, Frankie Edgar has previously suffered high-profile division knockout defeats against Marlon Vera, and one-time interim title chaser, Cory Sandhagen.

As per MMA Fighting reporter, Damon Martin this Monday evening, Edgar has since notified the promotion of his intention to retire from professional mixed martial arts with immediate effect.

Frankie Edgar officially notified the UFC of his retirement.

UFC officials confirmed on Monday.

It might seem like a formality but some fighters "retire" but stay in the USADA testing pool, etc. This cements Frankie's retirement, at least where the UFC is concerned.

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) November 21, 2022

“Frankie Edgar officially notified the UFC of his retirement,” Martin tweeted. “UFC officials confirmed on Monday, It might seem like a formality but some fighters “retire” but stay in the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) testing pool, etc. This cements Frankie’s retirement, at least where the UFC is concerned.”

Retiring from the sport boasting a 24-11-1 professional career, in his final professional win, Edgar defeated Pedro Munhoz back in August 2020 in a split decision win at the bantamweight limit.

Winning the undisputed lightweight title back in 2010, Edgar defeated then-champion, B.J. Penn – before scoring a total three successful defenses during his championship run.

Over the course of his memorable professional career, the future Hall of Fame shoo-in has landed wins over the likes of Jim Miller, Sean Sherk, B.J. Penn, Gray Maynard, Charles Oliveira, Cub Swanson, Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, Jeremy Stephens, and Yair Rodriguez.

Zhang Weili eyes UFC title superfight with Valentina Shevchenko: ‘I think it would be a great fight’

Recently minted undisputed UFC strawweight titleholder, Zhang Weili has suggested a move to flyweight division in search of a second Octagon championship – in the form of a superfight against fellow champion, Valentina Shevchenko. Co-headlining UFC 281 earlier this month at Madison Square Garden, Hebei native, Weili became just the second third-time strawweight champion in […]

Co-headlining UFC 281 earlier this month at Madison Square Garden, Hebei native, Weili became just the second third-time strawweight champion in Octagon antiquity, defeating Carla Esparza with an eventual second round rear-naked choke victory submission triumph.

As for Shevchenko, the Krygzstan native defeated contender Taila Santos in a close and debated split decision triumph at UFC 275 back in June in Singapore. The victory marked Shevchenko’s seventh successful title defense at the flyweight limit since her 2018 ascension to the throne.

Linked with a potential return to the bantamweight limit herself in the form of a trilogy bout against two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes, many have called for Shevchenko to headline January’s UFC 283 card in Brazil against the Bahia native, however, an official headlining bout for the promotion’s return to the Jeunesse Arena has yet to be determined.

Zhang Weili weighs up Valentina Shevchenko superfight in the future

Welcoming a flyweight division excursion in the form of a title showdown against Shevchenko, Weili claimed that matchup between the two would make for a “great fight”.

“I think it would be a great fight,” Zhang Weili told China Daily. “It’s one I’ve considered before. She (Valentina Shevchenko) is a very versatile fighter with a complete package. I hope it can be arranged whenever UFC sees fit.” (Transcribed by SportsKeeda)

The current #3 ranked women’s pound-for-pound fighter, Weili earned her title fight with Esparza off the back of a stunning rematch win over former titleholder, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, stopping the Pole with a spectacular second round spinning back fist knockout on the main card of Shevchenko’s win over Santos.