Step Four: Do What He’s Done To Izzy Nearly Every Time He’s Fought Him

This one is pretty self-explanatory. In order for Pereira’s move to heavyweight to signify what I think it could, it must follow what’d be his most meaningful title defense at light heavyweight: Another decisive stoppage over Adesanya.

Should Izzy find the courage to once again bang with the big boys, I only see it going one way if the man who’s beaten him three out of four times is standing on the other side of the cage.

If GOAT cases are built on a combination of narrative and accomplishments, then a third belt for Alex Pereira would be slightly diminished if it came without him getting a chance at a rubber match with his greatest foe. While the former would be the more impressive accolade, the latter is essential to both men’s stories as fighters.

Ironically, it could be argued Pereira-Adesanya 3 (or 5) is far more critical to each athlete’s resume than the legacy fight fans are being force-fed in November.