Alex Pereira may be about to finally get a long-awaited break from action after an intense year in the octagon.
The hard-hitting light-heavyweight champion stepped in to save three separate pay-per-view events this year, meaning he was never long out of camp. He first headlined UFC 300 on short notice against Jamahal Hill, before rematching Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 and finally Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 307.
All of these fights ended in knockouts, with only the latter making it to the championship rounds. But he had to undergo three camps for five round bouts, and suffered a number of injuries which have needed treatment since.
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Alex Pereira’s next opponent names date for grudge fight
It has been made clear that Alex Pereira, when he does return, will almost certainly face Magomed Ankalaev for the light-heavyweight title. The Russian defeated the only other top five-ranked contender whom Pereira hasn’t faced in Aleksandr Rakic, and is now a clear top contender.
But Ankalaev claims that Pereira has yet to agree to the fight, with a planned date almost halfway through next year. During a recent Q&A which was translated by Championship Rounds on X, he said: “Pereira has not yet agreed to the fight.
“But sooner or later it will happen, I think the fight can take place in May.” This would mark a much-needed seven-month break for the champion, who fought three times in that period this year.
During another segment in the Q&A, Ankalaev said that if he could pick between Jon Jones or Pereira for his next fight, that he would rather face the latter. “The desserts are both very tasty,” he joked. “But Pereira is my division so I would choose him.”
Magomed Ankalaev wants to beat Alex Pereira twice next year
The Russian has been pursuing his Brazilian rival for the best part of a year, after amassing an impressive winning run that makes him the clear top contender at 205lb. And he has even vowed to give Pereira a rematch for the belt should he get a chance at gold.
It appears that he had initially planned for an earlier fight date this year, but may have to settle for May which might hurt his plans. In a social media post earlier this week he claimed the pair would meet in March, which would allow for a second bout in June.
“I’m going to beat @AlexPereiraUFC in March,” Ankalaev wrote. “And I will give him a rematch in July, and then I will beat one of these bums like Jamahal Hill and Jiri in Abu Dhabi in October. @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite.”
UFC 313 is expected to take place in Las Vegas this March, but it may come too soon for the returning Pereira. Over the weekend, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili suggested that he headline the event against Petr Yan, who won his UFC Macau main event on Saturday.
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