Ultimate Fighting Championship
CEO Dana White had unequivocally
delineated his vision long back while teasing the magnitude of the
upcoming landmark
UFC
300 event. His plan was unmistakably explicit; each bout on the
main card of the evening should embody the potential to headline a
Fight Night event or even a pay-per-view on any given day.
Yet, as the matchups were incrementally disclosed, a discernible
undercurrent of discontent pervaded among the fans — not solely
stemming from the caliber of the scheduled card, which without
question underpinned the main card, but rather due to the glaring
lack of a premier attraction capable of transcending the spectacle
to uncharted heights. It’s unclear if those uncertainties were
mollified with the revelation of the main event spectacle that
would pit freshly crowned 205-pound king
Alex
Pereira, set to embark on his first title defense, against
former champ
Jamahal
Hill.
“Poatan” seized the vacant light heavyweight throne when he
defeated another former champ,
Jiri
Prochazka, via TKO in the second round of their main event
clash at UFC 295. These developments in the division came by the
stroke of misfortune as Hill ruptured his Achilles tendon playing a
basketball game during UFC International Fight Week 2023, which led
to him relinquishing his title. With the stage set for the grand
spectacle, we take a look at some of the statistical intricacies
that bind the fighters together:
2 years/7 bouts: Pereira’s rise in the UFC is unprecedented,
underscored by the fact that he took the shortest time and fewest
bouts to win championships in two divisions in UFC history.
1: “Poatan” remains the only fighter in the history of the
organization to lay hands on the middleweight and light heavyweight
throne.
4: The Brazilian’s explosive ways have garnered him the Performance
of the Night honors on four occasions.
62%: With a significant strike accuracy of 62%, Pereira ranks
fourth among the best across all weight classes.
50%: Besides his offensive prowess, Pereira displays a commendable
defense, evading 50% of opponent’s strikes.
70%: The 36-year-old averages 70% takedown defense, a testament to
his ability to keep the fight standing and evade grappling
advances.
6.99: With 6.99 strikes landed per minute, Hill occupies the second
spot in the 205-pound bracket for the same.
157: Hill achieved the fourth-highest significant strike
differential and the second-highest in UFC championship history in
his fight against
Glover
Teixeira at UFC 283.
562: He also holds a significant spot at No.3 across all divisions
for most significant strikes attempted at 562 against Teixeira.
1: “Sweet Dreams” is also the first Dana White’s Contender Series
graduate to become an undisputed UFC champion.