Not even his worst critics will deny that Alex Pereira is a very intimidating guy. It’s not so much what the light heavyweight champion does or says (since ‘Poatan’ is a man of few words), but how he carries himself and what he does in the octagon that makes him so scary. Over his unprecedented UFC run, the Brazilian has picked up a reputation for being a stone-faced assassin.

For evidence, one needs to look no further than the fans’ copiously using the Easter Island head emoji whenever ‘Poatan’ is mentioned. And the Brazilian 205-pound champ’s destruction of Khalil Rountree Jr. in their UFC 307 clash this Saturday has only added to his legend. But Daniel Cormier, who has had extensive contacts with Pereira, has revealed that the champ is much friendlier and amicable behind the scenes.

“When he [Pereira] comes into the room he’s quiet but he doesn’t have to say much at all, his whole thing is so intimidating. But in reality, he’s a nice guy. But if you don’t know him, right, all you see is the stone-faced Brazilian guy that just bludgeons people. That’s the only word I can find to describe what I saw last weekend, and it shows man,” DC said on his ESPN MMA show with Chael Sonnen.

Cormier also felt that it was because Pereira fought so frequently that he’s become the face of the UFC and is so beloved among fans. UFC 307, after all, was Pereira’s third title defense within seven months, which is an unprecedented and record-breaking level of activity for a UFC champion.

“Cuz people are locked into this guy and they love him and there’s nothing more important in fighting than being present. So him fighting as often as he does makes him more valuable, not only to the company but to fans,” Cormier added. With Pereira having cemented his legacy as one of the division’s all-time greats, there is one question on every fan’s mind.

What is next in line for Alex Pereira?

Amidst speculation of moving up another weight class and aiming for a third division belt, the Brazilian juggernaut has stated his current plans on staying at light heavyweight after all. After his previous two dominant outings which ended in knockouts, the MMA community expected ‘Poatan’ to do what no other fighter has ever done in the UFC. However, Pereira made it clear he was happy at his current weight class in the post-fight interview following UFC 307.

Which of course, raises the question- who is next? And the answer, of course, is #2 ranked Magomed Ankalaev! Or rather that is who should be ‘Poatan’s next opponent in a perfect world? After all, ‘Russian Terror’ has been the clear contender for almost this entire year. Instead, the UFC matched Pereira up against Jiri Prochazka again on UFC 303 (twice in seven months) and then #8 ranked Rountree Jr. last weekend.

But now that Ankalaev is set to fight Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 this month, he is not as clear a choice for Pereira next. Unless the Dagestani wins on the Abu Dhabi card, it is safe to say that the Russian won’t have his wishes granted by the UFC’s top brass. Who do you think Alex Pereira should fight next?