Make no mistake about it, this is a nightmare situation for the UFC. This furthers their star issue. Props to Ankalaev, but Alex Pereira is, arguably, the most popular active fighter in the UFC.

Forces the UFC’s hand to make a Jones vs Aspinall or Islam vs Topuria fight

TIENES MI RESPETO, STARK 🙌 'Pitbull' Cruz tuvo palabras para su contrincante 'Tashiro' Fierro al término de su pelea. ¿Qué dijo? Descúbrelo aquí. 👇 #PitbullCruz #TashiroFierro #Boxeo

People have shifted to care more about stylistic matchups and actions than who wins belts at this point. If going 0/11 on takedowns and holding someone against the cage for 1.5 rounds wins belts then you lose the people

Also why throwing O'Malley right back in against Merab is idiotic. Him being wrestled for another 5 rounds will only hurt his popularity more.

I wonder if they try get a rematch arranged quickly!

Just throw him back in there against Jiri to get an easy knockout win. You act like his star power is shattered lol. Easy knockout coming against Jiri then put him back in there against Ank

The sport is gone they now credit cage hugging and don't reward stuffing down every single takedown first aldo not they got pereira

When was the last time a challenger did so little to win the belt? Round 1,3 and 5 clearly Pereiras. The sig strikes and damage difference is absurd.

The UFC is the star the rest are players I think while the conors and alexs bring eyes they create a focal point that dilutes the attention the rest of the card gets allowing them to build weak cards

Weidman beating Silva Ariel.

Just give him Tom Aspinall fuck it