Du Plessis Declares Alex Pereira Greatest Combat Athlete Ever as UFC History Beckons

The debate over combat sports supremacy has taken an intriguing turn as former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis boldly declared Alex Pereira the greatest combat athlete in history, surpassing even legendary figures in mixed martial arts and beyond.

While most combat sports enthusiasts consider Jon Jones the undisputed mixed martial arts GOAT, du Plessis argues that Pereira's unprecedented cross-disciplinary success elevates him above all others when considering combat sports as a whole.

"Listen, just Alex Pereira is one of the greatest. I've said this for a long time, if not - No, the greatest combat athlete to ever live in my opinion," du Plessis told Fight Forecast and Betway South Africa. "Alex Pereira to this point - The GOAT of course being Jon Jones, the GOAT of the UFC. I'm talking about across the board."

The South African fighter's assessment centers on Pereira's remarkable journey from kickboxing dominance to UFC stardom in an impossibly short timeframe. "Going, doing what he did in kickboxing, coming to the UFC in such a short period of time, and now challenging for his third title. I mean, that's unheard of," du Plessis emphasized.

Pereira's combat sports resume reads like fiction transformed into reality. "Poatan" established himself as one of the most feared strikers in kickboxing history before transitioning to mixed martial arts with minimal grappling experience. What followed defied conventional wisdom about the time required to develop elite-level MMA skills.

The Brazilian knockout artist captured the UFC middleweight championship, then moved up to light heavyweight where he claimed that title as well. Now, in a move that has sent shockwaves through the combat sports world, Pereira has relinquished his light heavyweight crown to pursue heavyweight gold and potential three-division championship history.

No fighter has ever captured titles in three different UFC weight classes, making Pereira's upcoming challenge against former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 a truly historic occasion. The event, scheduled for June 14 at the White House, represents more than just another title fight – it's a chance to witness sporting immortality.

"I have him winning the fight," du Plessis predicted with confidence. "I'm backing Alex Pereira in this fight. I hope he wins the fight, and I think he is going to win that fight. He's huge. He's huge. He doesn't look small against Gane."

The physical transformation required for Pereira to compete effectively at heavyweight adds another layer to his extraordinary story. Moving from middleweight (185 pounds) to heavyweight (up to 265 pounds) typically requires years of careful weight gain and strength development. Pereira has accomplished this transition while maintaining his devastating striking ability.

Other combat sports figures have staked claims to the title of greatest combat athlete ever. Olympic gold medalist and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo frequently makes this assertion based on his Olympic wrestling success combined with UFC achievements. Current UFC women's bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, also deserves consideration in this conversation.

However, du Plessis argues that Pereira's rapid ascension across multiple disciplines and weight classes sets him apart from all competitors. The combination of elite kickboxing credentials, UFC championship success in two divisions, and the potential for three-division glory creates an unmatched resume.

The upcoming bout with Gane will serve as the ultimate test of du Plessis's bold proclamation. Should Pereira successfully capture heavyweight gold, his case for greatest combat athlete status would become virtually impossible to dispute.

For now, the combat sports world watches with anticipation as "Poatan" prepares to chase history once again.