Khamzat Chimaev’s coach believes a superfight with Alex Pereira may not be in the Brazilian’s best interest, at least not right now.
Speaking in an interview with MMA Today, Alan Finfou addressed growing speculation about a potential champion-versus-champion clash between Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) and Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC). While acknowledging the fight is possible, Finfou suggested Pereira would be wiser to pursue history instead.
“If I would be on Pereira's side, I would never accept that fight,” Finfou said. “Khamzat would be the challenger. Pereira would have to defend. But Pereira already has two belts and he has the opportunity now to accomplish something that nobody ever did before in the history of the UFC: win the third belt in the third division.”
Pereira, who has captured titles in two weight classes during his UFC run, has recently been linked to a potential move up to heavyweight. Should he secure the UFC heavyweight championship, he would become the first fighter in promotional history to claim titles in three separate divisions.
Finfou made it clear he understands the appeal of legacy-defining achievements.
“For Khamzat, it’s great to try to win a second belt,” Finfou explained. “For Pereira, it’s amazing to try the third. If I would be Pereira, I would say, ‘Khamzat…ciao! I’ve been a GOAT.’ I would go for the third belt.”
Chimaev, currently reigning at middleweight, has been dominant in his run to the title and has expressed interest in becoming a two-division champion. A matchup with Pereira would represent one of the most high-profile fights the UFC could make.
Still, Finfou left the door open.
“Could that fight happen? Yes,” he said.
For now, however, history (and a shot at becoming a three-division champion) may be the more compelling path for Pereira.
