Despite still having two months until the end of 2024, the debate for the Fighter of the Year award seems to be firmly concluded according to Max Holloway. The former featherweight champion is set to make his case for the title next week at UFC 308 when he squares off against Ilia Topuria. Yet, despite the opportunity, Holloway concedes that Alex Pereira's consistent defenses of his light-heavyweight world title have likely sealed the award for the Brazilian fighter. Over the past 10 months, Pereira successfully defended his belt three times since winning it last November, with impressive performances at UFC 300, UFC 303, and most recently at UFC 307. This.
string of victories showcases his dominance in the octagon. Holloway had a significant victory earlier in the year against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, placing him in a position to compete for the Fighter of the Year. A victory over Topuria could further elevate his stature in the sport. Nevertheless, Holloway acknowledges that Pereira's remarkable activity and achievements in the octagon overshadow this. He remarked in a conversation with Kevin Iole that Pereira, who has rapidly defended his title an unprecedented three times, is a tough competitor in the race for recognition. "Every time I'm in the talks, someone has an outstanding year, and this year it's Alex.
Pereira," Holloway reflected on the impressive impact Pereira has made in 2024. Pereira's journey this year began with a thrilling title win against Jiri Prochazka in New York. He made an unexpected appearance as a short-notice headliner at UFC 300, where he faced Jamahal Hill. The fight ended in a brutal knockout, adding another dramatic victory to his record. Hill, previously forced to vacate his championship due to a severe injury, felt Pereira's power first-hand, suffering a second career defeat. When Conor McGregor withdrew from UFC 303, Pereira was called on for a rapid rematch with Prochazka. Despite some speculation about the early stoppage in their initial.
meeting, Pereira ended any debate with a decisive head kick knockout, reaffirming his status at the top of the division. Following these back-to-back impressive performances, Pereira initially planned a brief respite, hesitant to accept another fight until November or December. However, UFC 307 presented another opportunity that he could not pass up. In Salt Lake City, instead of battling top-ranked Magomed Ankalaev, Pereira squared off against Khalil Rountree Jr., navigating a challenging fight to ultimately secure victory. Rountree, a skilled Muay Thai practitioner, provided Pereira his sternest test yet. Despite early struggles, Pereira's resilience shone through as.
he maintained his championship status after a grueling bout. This remarkable string of performances has placed Pereira firmly in the spotlight for Fighter of the Year recognition. His successive title defenses and ability to step up for pivotal fights have highlighted his exceptional talent and dedication. As fans and critics look back on 2024, Pereira’s impact has been undeniably profound, setting a new benchmark for championship resilience in the UFC.
