One fighter’s reaction to Alex Pereira’s UFC 320 title win has been met with heavy backlash.
Pereira returned to the light heavyweight throne at Saturday’s pay-per-view main event less than seven months after being unseated.
The Brazilian vowed to get revenge on Magomed Ankalaev for their UFC 313 showdown and he did so in emphatic fashion. Pereira knocked out Ankalaev in just 80 seconds, bringing the Dagestani’s short title reign to a quick end.
That result marks the latest memorable performance for Pereira on MMA’s biggest stage, and it has left one of his fellow countrymen making a big claim.
Renato Moicano brands Alex Pereira the ‘best Brazilian fighter to ever exist’ after UFC 320
A host of fighters, fans, and analysts praised Pereira in the aftermath of the UFC 320 main event.
Among them was Renato Moicano, a UFC lightweight contender who sits as one of the Brazilian fighters who has risen to challenge for gold in the promotion.
Moicano crowned Pereira as his nation’s best-ever fighter, snubbing a number of legends to do so.
“The best Brazilian fighter to ever exist,” Moicano wrote on X.
The one-time lightweight title challenger no doubt included Pereira’s multi-sport success into the equation. Before winning two UFC belts, ‘Poatan’ was also a two-division champion in Glory Kickboxing.
But that has not stopped Moicano from coming under fire from many in the MMA community who see better options.
- LATEST NEWS: Alex Pereira referenced Magomed Ankalaev’s trash talk with one-word comment moments after UFC 320 KO
Fans remind Renato Moicano of Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, and more after bold Alex Pereira claim
It did not take long for Moicano to face backlash for his take.
Many were quick to pitch alternatives for the title, including UFC legend Jose Aldo and pioneer Royce Gracie. The most common name to come up, however, was undoubtedly Anderson Silva.
“Anderson Silva is and I’m a huge ‘Poatan’ fan. ‘Poatan’ 2nd though.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“Jose Aldo, RDA, Charles Oliveira, and Patrício Pitbull all say hello.”
“Prime Anderson Silva was better.”
“Royce (Gracie) is probably the greatest for many other reasons but Silva is right there.”
“Calm down, man, don’t forget about Anderson Silva.”
“Not even close! But maybe most powerful! One dimensional. Royce Gracie is your GOAT!”
“The Spider enters the chat.”
“I mean, that belongs to Anderson and Aldo, but Alex is cool.”
“Don’t insult Jose Aldo. No failed drug tests, honorable fighter. Alex is very good but he’s not quite there yet. I’d put him over Anderson because of his clean sheet.”
“Come on dude. Were you born in 2020?”
“Alex Pereira is excellent but Anderson Silva was a super, super, exceptional talent. No Brazilian fighter comes close to him.”