UFC superstar Alex Pereira's next move is a hot topic in the MMA world. After a successful year defending his light heavyweight title, rumors are swirling about a potential move to the heavyweight division and a possible fight against Ciryl Gane. Let's delve into the latest news and potential scenarios for Pereira's return.
Potential Light Heavyweight Title Defense
Initially, Alex Pereira was slated to defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev, but there have been some complications. The 37-year-old Brazilian has successfully defended his title three times since claiming it in November 2023, with knockout victories over former champions Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka, as well as Khalil Rountree Jr. Ankalaev, the No. 1 ranked contender, earned his spot after extending his unbeaten streak to 13 fights this past October with a unanimous decision victory over Aleksandar Rakić.
Joe Rogan claims Pereira is planning a March return specifically because it’s during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and reflection for Muslims. If he makes himself available only in March, then the UFC may go along.
That leaves Ankalaev in a tough position: train through Ramadan (which is possible but not optimal, just ask Belal Muhammad), wait until later in 2025 for Pereira, or fight again and risk your No.
The Allure of Heavyweight
Rather than a defense against a contender like Carlos Ulberg, Pereira immediately called for a heavyweight move after his sixth win in eight title fights under the UFC banner. The alternative could be a shot at three-division title glory, but the championship picture up at heavyweight is uncertain after Tom Aspinall was left with eye damage from Ciryl Gane’s poke at UFC 321 in October.
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Ex-fighter Josh Thomson has pitched an interim title fight between Pereira and Gane, and a longtime UFC color commentator has heard talk of that happening.
There have been rumblings even before Pereira’s recent loss about a move up to heavyweight.
Joe Rogan has heard ‘chatter’ of Alex Pereira fighting Ciryl Gane while Tom Aspinall recovers. “There’s a lot of chatter about him fighting in the heavyweight division,” Rogan said of Pereira on his JRE podcast. “There’s a lot of chatter about him perhaps even fighting Ciryl Gane.
“I don’t know how much is true - I haven’t talked to Dana about it. But it’s not an illogical move. He’s 240 pounds right now. 240-plus!
“Make no mistake about it, that guy can knock out heavyweights. No doubt about it. He hits harder than anyone they’ve ever recorded,” he added.
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Pereira moving up to heavyweight and becoming the champion would make history because he would be the first UFC fighter ever to win belts in three weight classes.
Alex Pereira record: 13-3 (11knockouts)
The Tribe Warrior Who SMASHED the UFC: Alex Pereira
The Jon Jones Factor
Pereira’s sights were initially on the UFC’s leading GOAT contender, but Dana White’s stance on Jon Jones returning at the White House has thrown doubt over that matchup. Despite Pereira targeting the Jones fight at the White House, it would seem that the promotion and its president have not been persuaded.
After frequently discussing his desire to compete at the celebratory event in June, Pereira posted a disappointing update on Instagram, writing, “Looks like the White House is a no go!!!”
If the Jones fight remains off the table, ‘Poatan’s’ heavyweight focus will seemingly sway to the pursuit of a history-making third divisional title.
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Pereira vs. Ankalaev: A History
In March, Russian Magomed Ankalaev was able to do something that has only happened twice in Pereira’s 12 UFC appearances. He handed him a rare loss inside the Octagon, winning by unanimous decision. However, the Brazilian showed why he is a living legend in their October rematch.
In just one minute and 20 seconds, “Poatan” got ice-cold revenge when he gave Ankalaev not only his first knockout loss, but it was the first L of his 23-fight career. A trilogy bout between the light heavyweight stars makes sense.
UFC 320 Results
The UFC returned to pay-per-view on Saturday, Oct. 4, for the first time in almost two months. UFC 320 was held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event featured a brilliant card with two title fights ending the night.
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
The main event was a light-heavyweight title rematch between the champ Magomed Ankalaev and the former champion Alex Pereira. At UFC 313 in March, Ankalaev became the first man to beat Pereira since Israel Adesanya did back in 2023. After being out of action for 210 days, Pereira was once again fighting for a title on Saturday night. A minute into the fight, Pereira threw a huge right hand, catching Ankalaev on the side of the head and forcing the champ to shoot a takedown early into the round. Pereira smelled blood in the water and was able to block the takedown attempt and deliver brutal ground and pound. This proved too much for Ankalaev and referee Herb Dean was forced to stop the fight just 80 seconds into round one. Pereira was able to reclaim his title and avenge the loss that ended his five-fight unbeaten streak.
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen
The bantamweight championship was also up for grabs in the co-main event. Dvalishvili is one of the most active champions in the UFC, with all three of his title defenses coming this year. The Georgian native came into the weekend on a 13-fight win streak that started all the way back in 2018. His opponent Sandhagen has been a top name in the bantamweight division for multiple years. He holds wins over former UFC champions Frankie Edgar and Deiveson Figueiredo. Ultimately, this fight was just another clinic run by champion Dvalishvili. He outclassed Sandhagen in every round of the five-round fight. Dvalishvili went 20/37 on takedowns during the fight and landed a total of 243 strikes. Although Dvalishvili is known for his wrestling, he managed to injure Sandhagen severely in the second round after landing a huge combo of hooks. The champ made history multiple times in the fight, setting a record for most takedowns landed in a single fight at 20.
Jiří Procházka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
Procházka previously fought Pereira twice for the belt and was knocked out both times. Rountree Jr. had a similar fate in his title bout against Pereira as well, getting finished in the fourth round. Rountree Jr. managed to pressure Procházka and land some huge strikes during the first two rounds. However, when the third and final round started, it seemed he was starting to run out of gas. Procházka took advantage of that and started fighting back and throwing some of his own combos at Rountree Jr. With a little less than two minutes left in the third, Procházka found himself in the clinch up against the cage with Rountree Jr. He threw a stunning left jab and then followed with a huge left hook, knocking Rountree Jr. Procházka is now on a two-fight knockout streak, with both wins coming over former title challengers. A trilogy fight with Pereira might be in the Czech’s future.
Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker
In a five-round co-main event, all-action lightweights Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker will collide in a pivotal matchup at 155 pounds. Meanwhile, Hooker is on a three-fight win streak, including decision victories over Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot, and a second-round TKO of Claudio Puelles.
Pereira's Perspective
Pereira said he has taken some time off to “rest” and recover from injuries, and plans on traveling soon to Brazil for 30 days to “start a preparation, take care of my body and get strong.”
“[A rematch] is my focus, that’s what I want, and that will happen,” Pereira said. “I don’t know [when], we haven’t spoken, but around October. It could be September, October, November. It doesn’t matter to me. That date is perfect for me.”
Pereira plans on bringing something new for the rematch.“A few different things, but details,” Pereira said. “It’s not like I’ll completely change my game. No.
“Nobody-not nobody, but hardly someone else does that, four fights in a year. People miss it.”“Also, [Ankalaev] was promoting [himself] a little bit if he says my name, right?” he continued. “Because nobody knows he’s champion, right? So when he says my name he gets some attention. But I’m not responding to any of his attacks because I know it’s only for promotion. I’ll talk at the right time.”
The next step for ‘Poatan’ in the UFC remains unconfirmed heading into the new year. The Brazilian will enter 2026 as light heavyweight champion despite being removed from the throne by Magomed Ankalaev in March.