UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev might not run it back with Alex Pereira right away.
Magomed Ankalaev ended Alex Pereira‘s history-making UFC light heavyweight title reign in a unanimous decision win at UFC 313 earlier this year. The win extended Ankalaev’s lengthy win streak inside the Octagon, and ended Pereira’s undefeated run in the light heavyweight division.
Almost immediately after UFC 313, talks of an Ankalaev vs. Pereira rematch ran rampant, as the two sides appeared to verbally agree on a second fight later this year. But Pereira’s ongoing hiatus has prompted speculation that he might not get the immediate rematch he seeks.
If Pereira doesn’t return soon, the UFC matchmakers may go in another direction for Ankalaev’s first title defense. A former UFC star has a big name in mind that’s flown under the radar in recent months.
Josh Thomson tabs a surprising contender for Magomed Ankalaev’s first title defense
The UFC light heavyweight title picture features some intriguing names, including former titleholders Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka. Prochazka is coming off an impressive finish of Hill at UFC 311, and Hill will face former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. next month at UFC Baku.
But there’s another name in the mix for a shot at Ankalaev’s championship throne.
In a recent episode of the Weighing In podcast, former UFC star Josh Thomson tabbed Carlos Ulberg for Ankalaev’s first title defense.
“What you have is Jamahal Hill coming off a loss, Jan Blachowicz coming off a loss, Aleksandar Rakic coming off a loss, Khalil Rountree Jr. coming off a loss,” Thomson said. “Dominick Reyes is number eight, he’s got a win. You’ve got Carlos Ulberg, that’s it, at number three. You have Jiri but Jiri can’t fight. I mean, throw, I would say Ulberg, put him in there, see if Ankalaev will stand with him as well.
“There’s nothing else you can do. I mean, we’re looking for that guy to bring an exciting fight to Ankalaev because right now, good luck trying to sell that.” (h/t BJPenn)
Ulberg most recently defeated Jan Blachowicz at UFC London earlier this year to extend his eight-fight win streak inside the Octagon. If Ulberg wins a UFC title, he’d become the latest Dana White’s Contender Series alum to hoist UFC gold, joining the likes of Sean O’Malley and Jack Della Maddalena.
Ulberg has defeated the likes of Volkan Oezdemir, Alonzo Menifield, and Da-Un Jung during his UFC tenure. After dropping his UFC debut at UFC 259, Ulberg has been on a roll with five stoppage victories.
Alex Pereira social media hack sparked UFC retirement speculation
Pereira’s X account was recently hacked and included a cryptic message hinting at dismay with the UFC brass. Pereira later clarified he wasn’t responsible for the post, which hinted at retirement rather than working towards an immediate rematch with Ankalaev.
Ankalaev also got a callout from heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida, who didn’t rule out a return to the light heavyweight division to fight for the belt. Almeida finished Serghei Spivac at UFC 311 earlier this year for his second-consecutive first-round stoppage victory.
As the UFC matchmakers continue to work on what’s next for Ankalaev and the light heavyweights, there are plenty of options at the top of the division. Ulberg might get the call for a title shot sooner than most expect.
- READ MORE: Tom Aspinall gives influencer ‘Angry Ginge’ a rude awakening in hilarious grappling clinic