Alex Pereira Joins an Exclusive Club of Fighters—What Does It Really Mean?

The UFC Octagon has seen countless warriors, legends, and champions. But only a handful of them have left such an impact that even Bruce Buffer—the voice of the UFC—acknowledges them in a way that sets them apart from everyone else.

For years, only two fighters in history have been introduced by Bruce Buffer with the electrifying phrase:

“The one. The only.”

Those two fighters? Jon Jones and Conor McGregor—arguably the two biggest names in mixed martial arts history.

Now, a third name has been added to this elite and mysterious club: Alex Pereira.

But why was he chosen? What does it truly mean to receive this rare honor?

Is Pereira being positioned as the next megastar of the UFC, or does this signify something even more significant—perhaps the start of a legacy that will change MMA forever?

Let’s break down:

• The hidden meaning behind Bruce Buffer’s special introductions
• Why Pereira earned his spot among Jones and McGregor
• What this could mean for his future in the UFC

And most importantly—could Alex Pereira be the next fighter to take over the sport?

The Power of Bruce Buffer’s Iconic Intros

More Than Just an Introduction

For the average fighter, a Bruce Buffer introduction is already a dream come true.

The legendary announcer’s booming voice has sent shivers down the spines of fighters and fans alike for decades. His presence alone elevates an event, and when he bellows “IT’S TIME!”, the entire MMA world holds its breath.

But there’s one level above even that.

Throughout his long career, Bruce Buffer has only ever given special introductions to fighters who transcend the sport.

For example:

• Georges St-Pierre was introduced as “The pride of Canada”
• Khabib Nurmagomedov was called “The undefeated, undisputed lightweight champion”
• Israel Adesanya received the moniker “The Last Stylebender”

But only two men before Alex Pereira received something truly different—something that no other fighter in history had heard before stepping into the cage.

Bruce Buffer called them:

“The one. The only.”

Why This Phrase Matters

These four words carry enormous weight.

They signify that the fighter being introduced is not just a champion—but a once-in-a-generation talent. Someone who is so unique that no comparison can be made.

When Buffer called Jon Jones “The one. The only.”, it was because Jones had dominated the light heavyweight division for over a decade and was seen as arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time.

When he said it for Conor McGregor, it was because McGregor had single-handedly revolutionized the sport, becoming its biggest mainstream star while also making history as the first simultaneous two-division UFC champion.

Now, Alex Pereira has received the same honor.

But what makes him worthy of this title?

Why Alex Pereira Deserves to Be in This Club

A Historic Rise to UFC Greatness

Alex Pereira’s career has been nothing short of legendary—and it’s happened at lightning speed.

• He became a world champion in Glory Kickboxing.
• He entered the UFC with only a few MMA fights and immediately shook the middleweight division.
• He knocked out Israel Adesanya, the reigning champion and one of the best strikers in UFC history.
• He moved up to light heavyweight and won another UFC belt in just his second fight in the division.

In just three years, Pereira went from an MMA newcomer to one of the most dominant forces in the sport.

But it’s not just what he has accomplished—it’s how he did it.

The Mystique of Alex Pereira

Unlike many UFC stars, Pereira doesn’t rely on trash talk or controversy to build hype.

Instead, he has crafted an aura of mystery that makes him even more intimidating.

• He rarely shows emotion—whether he’s knocking someone out or winning a title, he remains eerily calm.
• He doesn’t engage in social media wars—he lets his fighting do the talking.
• He has a stoic, almost mythical presence—something rarely seen in today’s UFC landscape.

This is what separates him from fighters like Conor McGregor. McGregor’s fame came from his ability to talk and entertain. Pereira’s fame comes from his quiet, ruthless destruction inside the cage.

This is what makes him “The one. The only.”

But what’s next for Pereira?

Is Alex Pereira the UFC’s Next Global Superstar?

The UFC’s Search for the Next Big Name

The UFC has always relied on megastars to push the sport to new heights.

• In the 2010s, Conor McGregor took over—bringing millions of new fans to MMA.
• Before him, Ronda Rousey was the face of the UFC.
• Before her, Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre dominated the headlines.

But now, the UFC is searching for its next true superstar.

Could Alex Pereira be the one to fill that role?

The Move to Heavyweight?

One of the biggest rumors surrounding Pereira is that he may eventually move up to heavyweight.

If he does, he could become the first fighter in UFC history to win belts in three different weight classes.

Imagine these potential matchups:

• Pereira vs. Jon Jones – The most dominant light heavyweight vs. the new dominant light heavyweight.
• Pereira vs. Tom Aspinall – The fastest-rising heavyweight contender against the scariest striker in MMA.
• Pereira vs. Sergei Pavlovich – A battle of pure knockout power.

If he makes the move and captures UFC gold at heavyweight, he would cement himself as one of the greatest combat sports athletes in history.

Could he actually do it?

Pereira’s Place in UFC History

Alex Pereira has already carved out a legendary career.

But now, with Bruce Buffer’s ultimate honor, he is being recognized as something even greater—a fighter whose name will echo in MMA history forever.

His journey isn’t just about winning fights. It’s about building a legacy.

• He is already one of the scariest knockout artists the UFC has ever seen.
• He is a two-division champion in record time.
• He is the first fighter since Jon Jones and Conor McGregor to be given Bruce Buffer’s highest honor.

The question now is:

Will he stop here?

Or will he push forward and chase even greater history?

One thing is certain—when Bruce Buffer says “The One. The Only. Alex Pereira,” the entire world takes notice.

And for Pereira, this may only be the beginning.