Former UFC champ Luke Rockhold’s latest remarks on Alex Pereira mark a putting change in tone from his earlier criticisms.
Chatting with TMZ Sports in Los Angeles shortly after Pereira’s victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320, Rockhold admitted that he as soon as “used to hate on Alex Pereira,” however stopped in need of repeating that stance as soon as he witnessed Pereira’s efficiency firsthand. He described Pereira as “a gangster” whose confidence and fearlessness contained in the Octagon earned Rockhold’s respect.
“I used to hate on Alex Pereira, however the motherf***er is a gangster. It’s all about confidence — that is all about balls. He has it. I can’t hate on him anymore. He’s one of many GOATs as a result of he carries the identical mindset each time. He doesn’t have the bottom sport, however he’s obtained balls. He’s the most effective champs of all time. It’s spectacular.”
Luke Rockhold Reverses Course, Labels Alex Pereira a GOAT
Rockhold, who held the UFC middleweight championship from 2015 till his loss to Michael Bisping, defined that his earlier doubts about Pereira stemmed from the Brazilian’s perceived lack of a whole floor sport. By his personal account, he believed there have been a number of fighters who may neutralize Pereira on the mat. That view shifted after Pereira’s decisive win over gentle heavyweight champion Ankalaev.
In his feedback, Rockhold emphasised that MMA success usually hinges on psychological power. “It’s all about confidence – that is all about balls,” he stated. He acknowledged that whereas Pereira could not excel on the bottom, his persistently daring method makes him “the most effective champs of all time.”
Pereira’s journey within the UFC started in late 2021 when he transitioned from a embellished kickboxing profession into combined martial arts. After profitable his first two UFC bouts, he confronted Sean Strickland in his third UFC look, a combat that showcased Pereira’s skill to adapt putting technique beneath pressure. He then challenged Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title, defeating him by knockout to say the belt. That victory cemented Pereira’s standing as a significant drive in MMA, particularly since Adesanya had beforehand held a near-flawless report within the promotion.
Since moving up to light heavyweight, Pereira improved his record to 9-2, adding high-profile wins and demonstrating durability against top-ranked opponents.
Rockhold’s public reversal is significant for three reasons. First, it shows the impact of high-level victories on peers’ perceptions. Second, it highlights the importance of mental attributes in elite competition. Third, it reinforces Pereira’s emerging legacy as one of the sport’s most influential champions. Rockhold summed it up plainly: “No more hate. Alex, God bless, you’re a gangster. He’s one of the GOATs.”
