Daniel Cormier Calls Out 'Perfect UFC Matchmaking' For Alex Pereira

Daniel Cormier applauded UFC matchmakers on Alex Pereira's rise to the title picture.

On his show "DC and RC", the former champ stated, "The UFC matchmaking [is] perfect with this guy. Because they never really let him fight a Marvin Vettori or anyone that can, like, stymie him and hold him against the side of the Octagon, and now you get him and Izzy".

Alex Pereira debuted at 4-1 in the UFC, starching Andreas Michailidis with a flying knee and overwhelming Bruno "Blindado" Silva in a decision. He finished Sean Strickland in the first round at UFC 276 this past weekend in a title eliminator.

Primarily faced with strikers in his ascent to the title, Michailidis remains the most credentialed grappler Pereira has faced to this point. With a division of killers like Marvin Vettori, Derek Brunson, and Andre Muniz, it seems more than likely Pereira is getting preferential treatment.

The push for Pereira makes clear sense from a promotional standpoint. The Brazilian powerhouse holds two victories over Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in kickboxing, including a stunning knockout. With Adesanya's continued dominance, Pereira remains an explosive test and compelling rematch for the Middleweight kingpin.