It's been a special year for UFC action, and the next step, after UFC 310 on Dec. 7 is to crown a Fighter of the Year.
In my eyes, it comes down to three candidates: Alex Pereira, Ilia Topuria, and Dricus Du Plessis. While I lean toward Topuria as FOTY, UFC commentator Jon Anik feels strongly that the light heavyweight champ deserves Fighter of the Year honors.
"I have no problem if somebody wants to give the Spaniard [Topuria] their vote," Anik said on The Huddle Monday. "He has laid out a near iron-clad case, but Alex Pereira is my 2024 Fighter of the Year."
Why Anik Backs Pereira For Fighter of the Year
For the UFC's lead play-by-play man, Pereira's status as Fighter of the Year comes down to the context in which the Brazilian accepted and delivered on his three title defenses this year.
After knocking out Jamahal Hill to kick things off, Pereira accepted a short-notice title rematch against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 and knocked the Czech native out cold with a fabulous headkick. After that, Pereira dismantled Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 in October, winning by fourth-round TKO.
Anik also highlighted that Pereira has one more title-fight victory than Topuria this year, despite not competing until UFC 300 on April 13. His electrifying first-round KO at the milestone event strengthens his case further, as delivering a highlight-reel finish on the most stacked card in UFC history is hard to surpass.
"For me, it is Poatan's world in 2024. We are all just living in it," Anik said.
Pereira's Next Fight: Magomed Ankalaev
After the UFC 310 main event was canceled, there was rampant speculation Pereira could step in for a fourth title fight in 2024 against Magomed Ankalaev. Ultimately, that didn't come to fruition, but Poatan will still defend his belt against Ankalaev sometime in 2025.
Pereira vs Ankalaev Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Alex Pereira | +120 |
| Magomed Ankalaev | -140 |
Odds as of October 26
Pereira's solid takedown defense and sharp striking, particularly his ability to frustrate opponents with feints and kicks, could be key against Ankalaev, who is prone to mental lapses and struggles in pure striking exchanges. Ankalaev's best path to victory lies in creating chaos through takedowns, clinch work, and avoiding prolonged exchanges at striking range.
For a more detailed preview of that fight, check out my Pereira vs Ankalev picks, where I lay out my case for each fighter.
Anik's Pick For Fight of the Year
The Fight of the Year race is wide open, but standout contenders include the UFC 300 clash between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje, which ended with a thrilling last-second KO by the Hawaiian, and the lightweight title showdown between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.
For Anik, though, the 2024 Fight of the Year came in a non-title setting during a main-card clash at UFC 306 between Daniel Zellhuber and Esteban Ribovics. Anik vividly remembers calling that fight at the Sphere on UFC 306, with co-commentator Joe Rogan, perhaps hyperbolically, labeling the Zellhuber-Ribovics brawl "the best fight he had ever called."
"For me, for Joe Rogan, I can't think of a crazier fight that I have been assigned than Daniel Zellhuber versus Esteban Ribovics there at The Sphere in 2024," Anik said.
