Ali Abdelaziz Sparks Controversy: Claims Islam Makhachev Would Beat Alex Pereira

January 1, 2025
2 months
Ali Abdelaziz Sparks Controversy: Claims Islam Makhachev Would Beat Alex Pereira

Ali Abdelaziz has controversially claimed that Islam Makhachev would beat Alex Pereira

Islam is the current UFC Lightweight Champion. He defended his title for the third time by submitting Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in his last fight. He picked up the belt after beating Charles Oliveira. Islam will face Arman Tsarukyan in his next fight at UFC 311 on January 18. It is a rematch of their first clash, which took place in 2019. Islam won a unanimous decision. A win will increase the calls on Makhachev to move up another weight class. He has spoken about his desire to secure a belt in another division. The welterweight title is currently held by Belal Muhammad.

Since they are close friends, a fight would be tough to make. Islam’s coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has said as much. There is the option to face featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who has expressed his desire to move up. But since Islam has already beaten Alexander Volkanovski, who moved up twice from the weight class, he has dismissed that fight.

Abdelaziz Reacts

And yet, a move up to light heavyweight would be unlikely for Islam. Pereira is one of the most devastating punchers in the division. Alex could also easily become a heavyweight, given that his rehydrates to around 230-240 after his weigh-ins. While a bout at middleweight would be more realistic, Pereira would struggle to make that now. But if the fight happened, Abdelaziz backed his man. 

“I don’t think any man from 155 pounds to 185 pounds can beat Islam Makhachev. It doesn’t exist. I believe 155, 170, 185, I think Islam can beat anybody at any given day. This is what I believe in because what he’s shown me, the development, the improvement. I think Islam will beat Alex Pereira at 205. [And] I do. I swear to Allah. I think Islam Makhachev will beat Alex Pereira.

“He’s just going to take him down and finish him, submit him. Alex Pereira can knock out anybody on the planet if he touches you, but I think Islam Makhachev is this good. …Skill for skill, I think he’s one of the best fighters, most complete fighters we’ve ever seen. It’s not Demetrious Johnson, it’s nobody,” Abdelaziz said 

Who Wins?

Nevertheless, Pereira is arguably in the best form of his career. In 2024, he secured three KO wins in impressive circumstances. He stopped Jamahal Hill in the first round at a historic UFC 300 card. It was a huge occasion, given its magnitude. The manner of the win was also impressive since Pereira broke his toe two weeks before the fight.

And yet, the Brazilian still went ahead with the fight. The win over Jiri Prochazka also won him plaudits as Alex took the fight on short notice once Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler was called off at UFC 303. His last bout against Khalil Rountree Jr. saw Pereira dig deep before he stopped his man in the fourth round. While Islam and Pereira would be a dream match-up, it is unlikely to happen. 

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