Cub Swanson Believes Alex Pereira Could Reach GOAT Status with Heavyweight Gold

UFC Hall of Famer Cub Swanson shared his thoughts on the ongoing debate within the MMA community about who the biggest star in the UFC is today. 

Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria both make strong claims to the distinction, primarily due to their popularity, highlight-reel knockouts, and willingness to move up in weight classes.

Swanson, who recently retired from MMA and transitioned to a full-time coach at his Bloodline Combat Sports gym, explained why he considers Pereira to be the most impressive star.

In an exclusive conversation with SportsBoom, Swanson opened up about Pereira’s quick rise to superstardom, the Brazilian being on the cusp of making history, and why the UFC should introduce more weight classes. 

Pereira and Topuria will both be featured at the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 event, which takes place at the White House on June 14. The historic event is in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. 

Topuria faces Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout in the main event, while Pereira faces Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship. Swanson acknowledged ‘El Matador’ as being a bigger star, but said he prefers ‘Poatan.’

“I would probably say Ilia Topuria is the bigger star, but I feel like Pereira is the one that I like the most because of how active he’s been and has been in big fights,” Swanson told SportsBoom.us. 

“I appreciate that more. Staying active and staying in high-level fights. Because, people forget so quickly.” 

“I think that the big guys, they need to be fighting more often.” 

OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE HISTORY

There is a lot at stake when Pereira faces Gane for the interim heavyweight championship. 

For Gane, it’s a chance to face Tom Aspinall for the undisputed heavyweight championship after their previous encounter ended in controversy. 

Pereira, meanwhile, will have a chance to become a three-division UFC champion. Several fighters have won titles in two-divisions, but none have been able to win a third. 

In less than five years, Pereira has already become a middleweight champion and two-time light heavyweight champion, defeating former champions including Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Jiri Prochazka, and Magomed Ankalaev. 

If he is successful, Swanson believes Pereira will certainly make a strong case in the greatest of all-time conversations. 

“I definitely think he will be in the GOAT conversation,” he said. 

“I’d like to see that. I’d like there to be more weight classes and more belts, and have more title fights.”

“I think that’d be great for the sport, but to see what Alex is doing at those weight classes, that’s a lot of weight to move up and still have that kind of power, it’s impressive,” he added.

MORE WEIGHT CLASSES COULD CREATE MORE UFC STARS

Swanson believes that introducing additional weight classes, particularly between lightweight and middleweight, would create more UFC stars. 

Currently, 15 pounds separates lightweight and welterweight, as well as welterweight and middleweight. 

“Killer’ doesn’t foresee the UFC following a boxing model when it comes to weight divisions. 

“We’re definitely not going to go every five pounds if we’re not going to keep that 10 pound mark. But yeah, some guys are just right in between and you have to adjust your game.”

Swanson feels that 10 pound gaps should be the norm and would not only balance out divisions but also add depth, as fighters would compete at their natural weight.

“I think the first two divisions you’ve got to add are 165 pounds and 175 pounds. I think those are the two.”

“155 and 170 pounds are so stacked and you’d get it spread out a little. Then people can try to go to multiple weight classes. It just makes sense to me. You need more title fights to headline cards, but I don’t do that job,” he concluded.