Alex Pereira UFC triple champion status remains a hot topic in the MMA world as discussions heat up about which fighter could secure the unprecedented UFC triple crown. As of mid-2025, several top competitors have expressed the desire to capture titles across three weight divisions, yet few are seen as realistically capable of achieving this rare feat. The conversation gained traction after UFC 317, when Ilia Topuria proudly showcased his featherweight and lightweight belts, openly suggesting there is room for a third championship in his collection.
While winning titles in multiple divisions is familiar in boxing and has occurred once in MMA via ONE Championship’s Anatoly Malykhin in 2024, the UFC has never witnessed a three-division champion. Former two-division king Alex Pereira, who last fought at UFC 313, has hinted at going after a third belt, joined by other contenders like Islam Makhachev, whose teammate Belal Muhammad predicts he could also attempt to become a multi-division titleholder.
Chael Sonnen’s Perspective Favors Pereira as the Only Viable Triple Champion Candidate
UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen weighed in on the subject with a surprising endorsement, naming Pereira the only fighter with a realistic shot at a triple championship. Sonnen’s assessment contrasts with popular opinion praising the dominant recent runs of Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev, despite Pereira’s recent setbacks. Sonnen made his views clear during a YouTube discussion with Daniel Cormier, emphasizing the uniqueness of the achievement and the scarcity of fighters capable of reaching it today.
“I’ve always liked the concept of champ-champ-champ. I don’t know, realistically, in my lifetime, unless Alex [Pereira] gets it done, that I’m ever gonna see it,”
—Chael Sonnen, UFC Hall of Famer
“I don’t believe realistically, at least, in this era, of anyone that’s under contract right now, there’s no one that I believe that can go champ-champ-champ. Just him. Only him, and I’d like to see him get the opportunity to try.”
—Chael Sonnen, UFC Hall of Famer
This endorsement highlights the urgency for UFC promoters to support Pereira’s pursuit if the organization wants to see history made. The intense discussions underscore the difficulty in climbing to champion status in even one division, let alone three, amid the elite competition in today’s UFC roster.
Controversy Over Ilia Topuria’s Titles and UFC’s Handling of the BMF Belt
While Sonnen doubts Topuria’s ability to secure a third championship, he strongly backs the Georgian-Spaniard in a different area — claiming Topuria was unjustly denied rightful possession of multiple belts simultaneously. After defeating Max Holloway via knockout at UFC 308, where the BMF title was not officially on the line, Topuria walked out with both the featherweight and BMF honors, igniting debate over title legitimacy.
Sonnen criticized UFC management, especially Dana White and executives, for mishandling the situation, stating their decisions prevented Topuria from becoming a legitimate three-belt titleholder at UFC 317. Sonnen described this as a significant error in promoting both the fighter and the event’s marketing potential.
“There was a mistake made, and the mistake was made to put Ilia in there with the reigning BMF champion and not to put up the belt. That son of a b—h should have three belts right now, and we’re having a totally different talk right now if he does,”
—Chael Sonnen, UFC Hall of Famer
“The marketing and the posters are totally different if we had that, but we gotta follow it to a tee. The belt’s either up or it’s not.”
—Chael Sonnen, UFC Hall of Famer
This dispute raises questions about how UFC handles championship statuses and whether fighters like Topuria receive the recognition they deserve for their accomplishments.
Recent Fight Performances Fuel Speculation About Future Title Runs
Alex Pereira fought a high-profile light heavyweight title bout on October 5, 2024, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, during UFC 307 against a top contender, Rountree Jr. Although Pereira lost his title at UFC 313 and has not fought since, his presence in the light heavyweight title scene keeps expectations high for a comeback that includes pursuing a third championship.
Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria’s recent performances, including his victory over former UFC champion Charles Oliveira, reinforce his status as a formidable competitor in multiple divisions, suggesting he could challenge for another title. Similarly, Islam Makhachev remains a dominant lightweight champion with supporters believing he could pursue dual belts.
Such developments keep fans and analysts locked into ongoing debates about who will eventually break UFC history by becoming the first triple champion.
What the Future Holds for UFC’s Multi-Division Title Race
The race to crown the UFC’s first triple champion is rife with intensity and uncertainty, as fighters attempt the nearly impossible by conquering multiple weight classes. Alex Pereira UFC triple champion aspirations captivate enthusiasts eager to witness a fighter push the boundaries of UFC history. Yet, opposing views remain on which athlete has the skill, timing, and organizational support to achieve this milestone.
How each fighter’s trajectory unfolds over the next several months—including potential matchups and title defenses—will shape whether this historic accomplishment becomes a reality. UFC’s promotional decisions and matchmaking strategies will also play critical roles in facilitating or hindering triple championship bids.
For now, the MMA community waits with anxious anticipation, debating which contender is truly capable of elevating the sport to new heights by holding three belts simultaneously.