Alex Pereira was added to a club with just two other members last night, despite losing his world title to Magomed Ankalaev.
Pereira's performances in 2024 were the stuff of legend as he defended his belt three times in six months, including memorable headliners at UFC 300 and UFC 303 in Las Vegas. It was such a dominant and quick run that he became an almost mythical star of the division.
And when Bruce Buffer introduced him last night in the cage seconds before the UFC 313 main event, the use of four words put him in an exclusive club. He is joined only by Jon Jones and Conor McGregor, essentially cementing his spot as a legend.
Before a punch was thrown in Las Vegas last night, Alex Pereira was inducted into a special club that only includes Jon Jones and Conor McGregor by Bruce Buffer. During his introduction, 'Poatan' was referred to as 'The One, The Only,' which is a rare honor bestowed upon legends of the game.
McGregor first experienced it when he made his return to action after a year and a half out in January of 2020 against Donald Cerrone. He ended up winning the fight within 40 seconds, showing himself to still be capable of top level competition.
Jones was the the second to hear it, being introduced as such when he made his return at heavyweight to face Ciryl Gane and Stipe Miocic. Unfortunately for Pereira, this means he joins McGregor as a man who has lost after hearing the iconic intro.
Unfortunately for Pereira, the result did not go his way last night as he suffered his second defeat under the UFC banner. He struggled to get out of first gear and ended up being held against the cage enough to cost him the belt.
However, he has already identified a number of problem areas and appeared defiant in a social media video he shared after the fact. "That's it everyone, some marks but I'm good, I'm gonna rest a bit, I'll be back like I've always done," he began to explain in a video on his social media.
"This has already happened before but I'm good. I'm grateful for all your support, for all your love and always supporting me. I'm here with my people, my family and my team... Everyone's here with me.
"I'm going to have some pizza, that's that, life continues... I'm gonna make some adjustments for the rematch and I'll be back much better, you can count on it... CHAMA!"