The Best vs The Best? Aline Pereira's Chance Makes Mockery of Contender Series
Aline Pereira's Contender Series shot highlights why the UFC model is changing from the best vs the best.
The UFC used to be the pinnacle of the sport for any budding MMA fighter. Many fighters' dream was to one day make the walk wearing the famous UFC gloves and have their name called out by Bruce Buffer.
Aline Pereira's chance at next week's Contender Series makes a mockery of that dream for many fighters. UFC president Dana White has always said that the UFC is about putting the best vs the best, often turning away fighters (especially on the Contender Series) who he deemed not good enough.
The reason that Pereira is getting a shot is one reason and one reason only - She's Alex Pereira's sister.
Aline Pereira's MMA Career
Aline Pereira has an MMA record that sits at a woeful 3-2. She began her MMA career with a loss to Helen Peralta before defeating Chelsea Conner via decision. She would follow up this win with a loss to future LFA champion Cheyanne Bowers.
The Brazilian would then take two years away from MMA but would return at LFA 222, going to a decision with Nejra Repp in a winning effort. At 2-2, she took part in the debut MVP MMA card, headlined by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carno.
On that card, she took on Jade Massong-Wong. The Canadian hadn't won an MMA fight since 2018 and had been out of MMA action since 2020. She had shifted her focus to become a star in bare-knuckle. Pereira would win on the MVP card, however, she could only do so via split decision.
Her performance against Massong-Wong wasn't good. She was constantly caught clean in boxing exchanges, taken down with ease and although she landed at a high percentage, she did very little damage.
She takes on 2-0 Swedish prospect, Smilla Sundell. 'The Hurricane' is a Muay Thai fighter, which should play into Pereira's game. With that being said, she's aggressive, fights on the front foot and has experience, having been the ONE Flyweight Champion in Muay Thai.
Future?
Realistically, if Pereira wins, what's the future? The bantamweight division is stacked with girls who could take her down, dominate her on the ground and do damage.
She turned 36 last month and isn't going to get any better. She's getting the chance because Alex Pereira is her brother - Not based on merit. It's not 'the elite' anymore.
