Laura Sanko can’t align with Dana White’s push to declare Alex Pereira as the greatest fighter of all time.
After claiming for years that Jon Jones was his definitive GOAT, the UFC CEO opened the door to adjusting his list this week ahead of Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) facing Ciryl Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) for the interim heavyweight title in the UFC Freedom 250 co-main event at the White House in Washington DC (Paramount+).
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If Pereira wins, he will become the first fighter in UFC history to win some form of a title in three weight classes. The former middleweight and two-time light heavyweight king can add the heavyweight strap to his resume in an unprecedented layer of success, and for White, that’s enough to knock Jones off his longstanding perch.
UFC color commentator and analyst Sanko isn’t in lockstep with White, though, and thinks giving Pereira the ultimate legacy distinction in MMA shouldn’t happen just yet.
“It’s a little too soon,” Sanko told MMA Junkie of White’s comment. “It’s a little bit too soon for me, personally. If he’s able to do that, the frothiness in me is like, ‘Yes, you’re the greatest of all time.’ But then I sit back and I’m like, ‘I’m sorry, Jon Jones’ resume is just – it’s not the same. It’s not the same.
“Alex Pereira has been unbelievable, and he’s been one of one. I will tell you this: I don’t know if anyone will ever do that again if he does it. Even if Ilia Topuria, even Islam (Makhachev). I don’t know that anyone will ever do that again, period. Ever. One of one in history, but I don’t know if I’m ready to give him the GOAT.”
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The speed in which Pereira has achieved UFC championship success is unprecedented. However, the interim title element of the Gane fight hinders the achievement for some. If it were for the undisputed title against Tom Aspinall, or if Pereira can beat Aspinall to unify belts should he come out of UFC Freedom 250 successful, then Sanko admits the dynamic of everything changes.
“Then I start to hear some little bleats,” Sanko said. “Some little bah, bah.”
To hear more from Sanko, check out her complete appearance on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC analyst: Dana White pushing Alex Pereira’s GOAT case ‘too soon’
