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In the ever evolving landscape of the UFC matchups are meticulously crafted, often with underlying narratives that excite fans and generate buzz. One such narrative has recently caught the attention of Daniel Cormier, who shared his thoughts on why the UFC seems to be holding off on pitting Alex Pereira against the formidable Magomed Ankalaev.
"I don't know why Pereira is not fighting Ankalaev right now," Cormier expressed during a segment on Good Guy / Bad Guy. "I don't know why that's not happening. But what I do like is that now Ankalaev has to pass another test because what the UFC is kind of saying here is we've got this star, and we know that this guy here could be a real potential issue for that star."
Cormier’s analysis touches on a crucial aspect of the UFC’s matchmaking strategy. Alex Pereira, a former middleweight champion, is quickly establishing himself as a top contender in the light heavyweight division. However a fight against Ankalaev, who is widely regarded as one of the toughest matchups in the division could be a significant challenge for Pereira. Cormier acknowledged this, stating, "They will fight eventually, but they will fight when we have no other option. I like it. I don't think you run the risk yet."
The key takeaway from Cormier’s comments is the notion of protecting a "golden goose." In this case, Pereira is the star the UFC might be keen on building up before throwing him into the fire with a dangerous opponent like Ankalaev. "I'm not saying Pereira can't fight or beat Ankalaev," Cormier continued, "I just feel like it is a very, very difficult matchup, possibly the hardest matchup for him in the entire light heavyweight division. So I think he has to wait, right?"
The idea of the UFC protecting certain fighters has been a topic of debate among fans and analysts alike. Cormier’s surprise at the UFC booking Ankalaev against Aleksandar Rakić instead of Pereira highlights the cautious approach the promotion may be taking with Pereira's career trajectory. "I'm very rarely surprised when fights get announced," Cormier admitted, "but I remember sitting in Manchester, when I saw Rakic taking on Ankalaev, my jaw dropped. I was like, 'They actually did it. Sometimes you got to protect that golden goose a little bit, and that's kind of what it feels like."
This isn’t the first time the UFC has faced accusations of protecting a prized fighter. Sean O'Malley, the UFC’s current bantamweight champion, was also subject to similar claims. UFC President Dana White famously fired back at such accusations, stating, "If you make it into the f****** UFC, you are not fighting easy fights. There is no feeding the golden goose. How is he the golden goose when we just f****** found him? He’s never won a f****** world title. You don’t know. You test these guys.“
Cormier’s insights reflect a broader conversation about the balance between promoting a fighter’s star power and testing them against the toughest competition. For Pereira, the road to the top of the light heavyweight division is filled with potential pitfalls, and a clash with Ankalaev might be the most treacherous of all. Whether the UFC is deliberately protecting Pereira or simply biding their time, the eventual showdown with Ankalaev is a fight that fans will eagerly anticipate.
As Cormier puts it, "Sometimes you got to protect that golden goose a little bit." Whether that protection is a wise strategy or a sign of caution, only time and the octagon will tell. Fight.TV is here for it!
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