“My cousin had the greatest analogy for Pereira. He goes, ‘He is Thanos, literally just collecting f–king… Infinity Stones.’ … I love Marvel. It was like when Thanos showed up and he’s just collecting Infinity Stones. There’s a timeline, you know, there’s a bad guy and [another] bad guy, and then there’s this ultimate bad guy, who is just in some f–king bar in Brazil and Izzy had to open his mouth. If Izzy would’ve just shut the f–k up, [Pereira] would have stayed where he was.” Daniel Cormier gave an interesting analogy about 205lbs god-king Alex Pereira on JRE MMA Show #150.

And who can disagree? Since making his UFC debut in November 2021, the Brazilian has collected championship belts almost as efficiently as Thanos gathered Infinity Stones. His meteoric rise from Glory Kickboxing to UFC double-champion status represents MMA’s ultimate speedrun, with Pereira needing just four fights to capture the middleweight title before swiftly claiming the 205lbs crown. Much like the Marvel supervillain who seemed inevitable, Pereira’s devastating left hook has left a trail of unconscious bodies in its wake.

Even current middleweight champion and potential future opponent Dricus Du Plessis, watching Pereira’s rampage through multiple divisions, has acknowledged what many fighters fear: when Poatan steps into the Octagon, it often feels like a snap of his fingers could end everything.

“I have the world’s respect for Alex Pereira,” Du Plessis said after defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 312—where Pereira was in Strickland’s corner. “I think he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and I have the most respect for him, what he’s done in a short period in the UFC, to come from another sport, what he’s done there, but yes, want to share the Octagon with that man.”

But does he have what it takes to beat Pereira? According to UFC veteran Anthony Smith, Du Plessis might just have the right strategy to do it. Speaking to Submission Radio, Smith explained,

“I think that I am an idiot because I have always doubted DDP and I just can’t do it anymore. So my brain says first of all, we gotta get past Khamzat and Pereira fight again, he’s gotta get past Khamzat first that’s a big task we can’t just look past that but that’s a different problem. Pereira is larger he is going to match him in strength and size. I think that Pereira is in a lot of work and working on his takedown defense and his getups. If DDP gets takedown though, it’s gonna be a tough world for Alex.”

Du Plessis currently has his sights set on Khamzat Chimaev following his latest victory. Moreover, a showdown with Alex Pereira isn’t likely to happen anytime soon. The Brazilian champion is set to defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313, putting any potential clash with Du Plessis on hold.

However, Du Plessis is in no rush. He recognizes that he still has more work to do at 185 lbs before eventually moving up to challenge Pereira. “Khamzat’s first,” Du Plessis said. “I said [to Pereira], ‘Please beat Ankalaev.’ No hate against Ankalaev; I just want to beat Alex Pereira. It’s nothing personal against Ankalaev, it’s just Pereira.”

Interestingly, even members of Team Sean Strickland believe Pereira could face serious trouble against Du Plessis, adding to the intrigue of a potential future matchup.

Eric Nicksick gives unexpected backing to Du Plessis against Alex Pereira

Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick, offered an unbiased take on Dricus Du Plessis’ fighting style while speaking to Submission Radio. “I think what makes Dricus so good is his unpredictability in the striking,” Nicksick said. “Whereas Alex is used to a clean, efficient style of striking, the awkwardness can throw guys that are that good off. So, I think if Dricus kind of stays—he’s not going to rewrite or change his entire approach or anything—but because he is starting to understand more and more of what he is trying to create with his striking, he is coming into his own.”

Nicksick also offered insight into how Du Plessis could exploit Pereira’s weaknesses, but he didn’t shy away from acknowledging Pereira’s ability as a dangerous fighter. According to him, what sets Pereira apart is his ability to quickly diagnose his opponent’s flaws and capitalize on them. “Like in the Jiri fights, Jiri tends to leave his defense behind him. He is throwing things, and there are holes in his defense, and Alex can diagnose that very fast,” Nicksick explained.

As for the South African, he remains confident in his ability to take on both Khamzat Chimaev and Pereira. Even if he isn’t the most technically refined fighter. His greatest weapon is his unpredictability—opponents never know what he might bring to the Octagon. ‘Stillknocks’ has already conquered elite names like Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Sean Strickland with his relentless aggression.

With guidance from seasoned veterans and his unorthodox fighting style, does Du Plessis have what it takes to dethrone Alex Pereira? Let us know what you think.