Chael Sonnen picks Alex Pereira as best MMA heavyweight over Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou, Daniel Cormier responds: "You have lost your mind"
Chael Sonnen recently named Alex Pereira the best heavyweight fighter in MMA over Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou, claiming that the Brazilian could outstrike them in a potential fight. Sonnen's remarks stunned Daniel Cormier, who later questioned his co-host's sanity.
Pereira is coming off a spectacular fourth-round knockout victory against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 earlier this month. The striking savant now has a professional record of 12-2, with ten of those wins coming via knockout. Given the kickboxing icon's incredible resume and striking prowess, it's no surprise that many consider him among the best martial artists in the world today.
Moreover, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion has also expressed a keen interest in moving up to heavyweight and trying to challenge for a third title. During a recent episode of the Good Guy/ Bad Guy show, Sonnen told Cormier he already considered Pereira as the best heavyweight fighter and said:
"I'm going to ride with Alex Pereira. Our heavyweight champion that we're discussing [Francis Ngannou] has fought one time in three years, our other heavyweight champion has fought one time in four years and only once in the division. So for me to pick a guy that's only threatened to come to the division is not as crazy as your think... I don't think those guys can strike with him."
Catch Chael Sonnen's comments below (4:14):
Daniel Cormier reacts to Chael Sonnen naming Alex Pereira as the best MMA heavyweight today
In the same episode, Daniel Cormier responded to Chael Sonnen calling Alex Pereira a better heavyweight than Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. The former two-division UFC champion also questioned the Brazilian's wrestling skills compared to Ngannou and Jones.
Responding to Sonnen's claims, 'DC' pointed out that Ngannou could outwrestle Pereira and said [5:16 mark]:
"You're going crazy... You have lost your mind. Dude, that double leg Francis shot that day [against Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants] might take Alex down because he's so big... I don't believe he's the best heavyweight... I think the best heavyweight is Tom Aspinall, still."