Laura Sanko thinks it’s essential that Alex Pereira moves up to the UFC heavyweight division before his career is over, but sees one final important order of business at light heavyweight.
After Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) reclaimed the 205-pound belt with a quick TKO of Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 this month, questions and speculation about his future have run rampant. “Poatan” made it clear post-fight that he wants to move up, ideally for a super fight with Jon Jones at the UFC White House card in June.
UFC commentator and analyst Sanko is somewhat torn about where things should go from here. She wants to see Pereira test himself in a third UFC weight class, but also doesn’t want to ignore the world of a surging contender in Carlos Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC), who has won nine straight fights in the division.
“For Alex, he’s already doing such extraordinary things, I feel like we are fans want to see how far he can push the envelope,” Sanko told MMA Junkie. “How extraordinary can he be? Yes, I would like to see him at some point, I don’t know if it’s next because I would love to see that Carlos fight, but at some I’ve got to see him at heavyweight. How incredible would that be to be his story, to go win a fight, or even a title at heavyweight? That would be insane.
“But in the same breath I also appreciate guys like (Alexandre) Pantoja and Merab (Dvalishvili), who are just going to absolutely clean out, and clean out again, their respective division.”
If Pereira does stay put and look to achieve a first title defense in his second reign as light heavyweight champion, then Sanko thinks he has to clash with Ulberg next. Although Jiri Prochazka made a case for a third fight against Pereira with a thrilling come-from-behind knockout of Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320, his lopsided history should be enough to prevent him from jumping the queue, Sanko said.
“I would love to see him fight Carlos, and if he gets win over Carlos, I’ve got to see him at heavyweight at some point,” Sanko said. “I saw some people arguing that Jiri jumped the line with his knockout. I don’t think so just because we’ve already seen that fight, as amazing as Jiri’s phoenix rising from the ashes was. But I want to see the Carlos fight first.”
Even if Pereira did fully commit to a future at heavyweight, Sanko doesn’t see the clear path. He could challenge the winner of the UFC 321 title showdown between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, who meet Oct. 25 in Abu Dhabi, but the Brazilian has made it clear his intentions are to face Jones.
There are more question marks about Jones’ fighting future than ever, though. Following the shocking recent death of his brother Arthur, “Bones” has yet to speak publicly about whether he still wants to return to the octagon.
“It’s really, really sad to see what happened to Jon’s immediate family,” Sanko said. “People think that stuff should’ve necessarily change a fighter’s schedule, but they’re real people. I can’t imagine dealing with a loss like that and even caring about fighting. When death happens that close, it changes your perspective on life. At some point you’re like, ‘This is cool, it’s incredible, but it’s fleeting.”
