With UFC 307 taking place this weekend, Alex Pereira is stepping into the octagon for a fourth time in just 11 months.
He has headlined twice against Jiri Prochazka as well as defending his light-heavyweight title against Jamahal Hill, with Khalil Rountree Jr his target this week. But even with all of those fights booked, there's one rival fans were hoping to see him face at some stage over the summer before it all fizzled out.
Anthony Smith, the former world title contender, claimed that he would be able to submit Pereira with ease given their stylistic differences. This led to a challenge from the champion, who offered $50,000 if Smith could get the tap, even with their grappling match starting with the American fully on his back.
Back in May, ahead of his stunning upset win over the unbeaten Vitor Petrino at UFC 301, Smith was challenged by Pereira to a $50,000 grappling challenge. He had claimed that despite his low ranking and 20 career defeats, he had the skillset to submit the champion, who has been rushed to the top.
Pereira is a former kickboxing world champion, and only had 12 professional MMA fights at the time. In that time, he has managed to lose twice and win UFC titles in two weight divisions and even defend them, all without ever being exposed on the ground for his reportedly lesser grappling skills.
Smith felt he could exploit that, telling the media after his big win in Brazil: "What did he say - Alex Pereira said that he would put up $50K but I can start on his back, hooks in and I got five minutes to finish him, and he'll put up $50K for it?
"I'll take his $50K. I'll take his money, if I start on his back then I'll choke the s*** out of him, 100 per cent."
The callout came after Pereira appeared on Connect Cast, where he laid down the gauntlet. "I make a bet with Anthony Smith," he challenged. "I let him take my back with hooks in and give him five minutes to finish me. We can bet. He said I'd win a $50k bonus, he said it was a sure thing.
"So, if he sees me saying this here, I want him to accept... Here we go, I'll have five minutes to get up and stand. If I get up in one minute or four minutes, don't matter, I stood up, he pays $50k. If he finishes me, okay."
However, when Smith lost his next outing to Roman Dolidze at UFC 303, ironically on the undercard of Pereira's next title defence, it appeared all bets were quite literally off. And the pair have now settled their feud, with the American speaking to Pereira's mentor Glover Texeira to arrange an ESPN interview.
In a video posted to ESPN MMA's YouTube channel, Smith can be seen meeting with Pereira and shaking his hand, before they engage in an interview about tattoos. Explaining the situation before the chat, Smith noted that fans "wouldn't believe" that he had booked such a guest.
"You're not going to be able to handle this one," he teased fans. "I don't know if I'm going to be able to handle this one, you're going to love it."
There is a quick introductory segment, before footage shows him meeting with Texeira and then coming head-to-head with Pereira. The pair shake hands and the Brazilian even gifts him a t-shirt confirming he is a member of 'Team Chama', which is his beloved catchphrase.
Once the pair came face-to-face, it became clear that Smith and Pereira's rivalry was nothing personal and clearly to do with an athletic sense of competition. The American still views himself as a top contender, and would likely see the Brazilian as a target for his career.
"First of all, thanks for doing this," Smith told Pereira in the interview. "I don't think a lot of people are probably expecting you to have a sit down conversation with me, I would imagine."
Pereira then gave his side of the story, telling Smith: "Some people can't imagine it because sometimes we talk a bit of trash on the internet or even because of a rivalry.
"Even with people that I've already fought I always try to bring close to me because I am a guy who's evolving. I think these people can help me and I make the most of it."
The pair then proceeded to engage in their interview before Smith closed it out with another message of appreciation for the champion. "Thank you for doing this and having a sit-down with me," he repeated. "Aside from a competitive rivalry, or whatever it was before, I've got a lot of respect for you.
"I'm a big fan of your game and I love watching you fight, best of luck here in Salt Lake City and I really appreciate you and your whole team."
Pereira then said his piece, adding: "I am thankful to you for reaching out. Ever since you spoke to Glover, I don't think there is any malice, there's no bitterness about the back and forths that we had, today I'm much better, I feel really good."