Fight fans are buzzing online after realizing light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira has matched lightweight legend Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s UFC title defenses in just 175 days.
For context, ‘The Eagle’ won the lightweight strap at UFC 223, in a unanimous decision win over Al Iaquinta in 2018. His title defenses were strategically spaced out, fighting only once a year after being crowned champion. In 2020, when Nurmagomedov called it a career, he had successfully defended the title thrice.
In contrast, ‘Poatan’ is one of the most active champions in the history of the promotion. The 37-year-old claimed the 205-pound starp in a TKO victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 last year. However, he defended his title thrice in 2024, equaling the lightweight legend’s record.
Pereira first defended his belt against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300. Then he once again bested Prochazka at UFC 303, before claiming a TKO win over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 this past weekend.
The unique achievement has ignited an online debate among fight fans, eager to compare the legacies of both men.
@dseanmac wrote:
“Different mentalities, one’s a warrior one’s a b*tch.”
@JakeTheShieldsTS chimed in:
“That’s why Khabib cannot be the GOAT.”
Check out a few more responses below:
Interestingly, Pereira is also tied with other promotional greats like reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier in terms of title defenses in a single weight class.