New York: Former UFC champions Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman stirred the MMA world this week with their bold take on a fantasy fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Alex Pereira. During their “Pound 4 Pound” podcast, both fighters agreed that the undefeated Dagestani legend would emerge victorious — even at middleweight.
Cejudo and Usman Back Khabib Over Pereira at 185 Pounds
In the October 30 episode, Henry Cejudo posed an intriguing question to co-host Kamaru Usman:
“You put Alex Pereira and Khabib Nurmagomedov at 185 pounds … who wins, Kamaru?”
Without hesitation, Usman replied:
“Obviously, Khabib Nurmagomedov.”
Cejudo followed up with a confident:
“I rest my case.”
The exchange quickly caught the attention of MMA fans online, reigniting debates about Khabib’s dominance and Pereira’s striking power.
Why Cejudo and Usman Believe Khabib Would Win
Henry Cejudo, himself a two-division UFC champion, elaborated on his reasoning by highlighting Nurmagomedov’s unmatched grappling skills:
“I’ve seen what Khabib’s able to do to light heavyweights and heavyweights in grappling… He could stylistically win a title at 185 pounds, even being a ’55er.”
Usman, known for his wrestling pedigree and championship reign at welterweight, echoed similar thoughts. Both fighters argued that Khabib’s control, cardio, and ground pressure would neutralize Pereira’s devastating kickboxing — despite the Brazilian’s size and knockout power.
While both hosts picked Khabib in a head-to-head matchup, Cejudo also reflected on the Dagestani’s overall legacy.
He noted that although Khabib Nurmagomedov retired undefeated at 29-0 and dominated the lightweight division, he did not move up in weight like Pereira or Cejudo himself.
“He has not done enough,” Cejudo remarked. “I’ve told this to Khabib… I really don’t put Khabib in front of me.”
Nevertheless, Cejudo conceded that Khabib’s grappling mastery could potentially make him a champion even at middleweight.
Alex Pereira, a former two-division UFC champion and Glory Kickboxing world champion, has earned a reputation as one of MMA’s most dangerous strikers. His power and precision have carried him through multiple weight classes, making him one of the most feared fighters in the sport today.
Yet, as Cejudo and Usman agreed, even Pereira’s elite striking might not be enough against Khabib’s relentless grappling and suffocating ground game.
The debate over a hypothetical Khabib vs. Pereira showdown remains a fantasy — but it highlights how Nurmagomedov’s dominance continues to captivate the MMA world, years after his retirement.
