Chael Sonnen predicts Alex Pereira's rise in pound-for-pound rankings, comparing him to Mike Tyson and Anderson Silva

Chael Sonnen believes Alex Pereira could find himself at the top of the UFC's pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings before the end of 2024. According to 'The American Gangster', the Brazilian is on track to be compared to fighting greats like Mike Tyson and Anderson Silva.

'Poatan' recently defended his light heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 last month. Pereira proved once again that he had Prochazka's number, finishing him in the second round of their rematch after landing a stunning head kick and follow up strikes.

Following Alex Pereira's win, the UFC's latest rankings update has seen him climb two places in the P4P list. Pereira has jumped over the likes of Jon Jones and Leon Edwards and now sits in the No.2 spot, behind Islam Makhachev.

Chael Sonnen then discussed Pereira's new spot in the rankings as well as his future during the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy podcast with Daniel Cormier. The two UFC veterans were making their predictions for the end of 2024, where Sonnen stated he expects Pereira to be at the top of the P4P list. He said:

"Number one pound-for-pound fighter I think is going to be Alex Pereira. I got bad news on Pereira by the way. Your days of seeing him fight are close to behind you. I don't mean he's going to retire, two guys in my lifetime, Anderson Silva and Mike Tyson. They had such fear...People would stop calling them out. Pereira is going to be at that point...There's not a 205'er out there that wants him."

Catch Sonnen's comments here (19:40):

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Kamaru Usman explains why Alex Pereira doesn't rank so highly on his own pound-for-pound list

Regardless of what Alex Pereira has achieved so far in the octagon, it doesn't appear to have impressed former welterweight champ Kamaru Usman.

'The Nigerian Nightmare' was reacting to the latest UFC rankings update, which now sees Pereira in the No.2 spot. According to Usman, however, the Brazilian is far from deserving of his place in the list.

Speaking on the latest episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo, Usman stated that Pereira must demonstrate a more well-rounded skillset, rather than just knockout his opponents. He said:

"Yes, you can stand and knock everybody out. Guys who aren't moving, guys who aren't shooting on you, guys who aren't testing your grappling, yes. But that doesn't mean you're number one pound-for-pound. So, don't be upset about that, don't be butthurt about it. If anything, show me you're pound-for-pound. Go out there, take the next guy down."

Catch Usman's comments here (10:03):