Back when the UFC heavyweight division hit a lull, the promotion needed a new force to shake things up — and it found one in Alex Pereira. Since moving up to 205 lbs in 2023, the former middleweight champion has bulldozed through the light heavyweight ranks, proving he’s not just a contender, but a full-blown nightmare for anyone in the division. He made his mark immediately, edging Jan Blachowicz via split decision at UFC 291 in his light heavyweight debut.

From there, Alex Pereira sharpened the tools that once got questioned — takedown defense, composure, patience — while unleashing those bone-rattling low kicks and surgical left hooks that have left even seasoned contenders second-guessing their game plans. For nearly two years, he’s been the shadow looming over the division. But here’s where it gets spicy: Daniel Cormier just stirred the pot. On Aljamain Sterling’s YouTube channel, DC suggested that Pereira’s reign might not have been so inevitable if one particular name — Ryan Bader, of all people — had crossed paths with him in their primes.

DC flags ‘The Smashing Machine’ star as potential challenge to Alex Pereira & others

In a recent appearance on former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling’s YouTube channel, Daniel Cormier reflected on his light heavyweight days and assessed the fighters of his era. Cormier suggested that athletes like himself, Jon Jones, Glover Teixeira, and Alexander Gustafsson would still thrive in today’s 205-pound division. Cormier also highlighted how the modern landscape has shifted, now favoring strikers like Alex Pereira, while only a few wrestlers, including Jan Blachowicz, remain capable of controlling the cage. When Sterling asked, “How do you think Bader would have done?”

Cormier replied: “I think Bader would have been fine. His wrestling, his ability to wrestle — he was winning against the guys that could wrestle. I thought he would have done well at light heavyweight, but now he’s older. I don’t think he could do it today. But when he was younger? Yeah. Bader was pretty tough. I agree with that.”

Ryan Bader, boasting a 31-8 professional MMA record, was a formidable presence in the UFC even before fully committing to MMA. Early on, he earned three gold medals at the Pac-10 Championships while representing Arizona State, establishing a strong wrestling foundation that would define his fighting style. In the light heavyweight division, Bader scored notable victories over opponents like Rashad Evans, Phil Davis, and Quinton Jackson, although he fell short against elite competitors such as Jon Jones and Lyoto Machida.

His wrestling pedigree consistently remained a defining strength throughout his career. After more than a decade in the UFC, Bader signed with Bellator in 2016, where he eventually became a two-division champion and competed in the heavyweight division until parting ways with the promotion. Moreover, earlier this year, he made his acting debut in Dwayne Johnson’s upcoming film The Smashing Machine, based on UFC legend Mark Kerr, portraying the role of Mark Coleman.

 Alex Pereira’s camp delivers brutal take ahead of UFC 320 clash

Back in March at UFC 313, Alex Pereira stepped into the Octagon against Magomed Ankalaev, and it wasn’t just his title on the line — it was his confidence. Even though ‘Poatan’ defended every takedown, he couldn’t match Ankalaev’s striking on the feet, and for the first time in a while, the Brazilian looked beatable. Pereira (12-3) had been hunting his fourth consecutive light heavyweight title defense, which would have been the longest reign at 205 pounds since Jon Jones’ first run.

Instead, Ankalaev (20-1-1, 1 NC) walked away with a decision win, leaving Alex Pereira with more questions than answers. Now, the UFC set the rematch for UFC 320 in October, and people have high expectations. Many in the combat sports world believe this fight could unfold completely differently.

On the “Overdogs Brasil” podcast, hosted by Renato Moicano and American Top Team coach Marcos da Matta, former light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira broke down Alex Pereira’s blueprint for victory. Teixeira stressed that constant pressure will be the key to turning the tide. “The first round will be brutal,” Teixeira said flatly. “It’s not that he’ll come in angry, but he’ll come in with that same [aggressive] attitude. This fight will be much more dynamic. ‘Poatan’ will be pressing the entire time because he’s ready for it.”

So here we are: Pereira, 12–3, chasing redemption. Ankalaev, 20–1–1, defending his throne. And a looming question — does DC have a point about wrestlers of the past? Or is Pereira about to silence everyone and reclaim his crown in violent fashion?