Alex Pereira seemingly thinks his future beyond just UFC 320 is already mapped out.
The stakes will be high at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena this Saturday night, as the venue once again plays host to a light heavyweight title fight between Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev.
Over six months after being unseated from the 205-pound throne at UFC 313, ‘Poatan’ will be the hunter the second time around as he looks to make his Russian rival’s reign an incredibly short one.
Although his focus has been on exacting his revenge on Ankalaev ahead of the October 4 pay-per-view, Pereira has also assessed what could lie ahead for him inside the Octagon after UFC 320. And one man looks to be leading the race for the next shot at gold.
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Alex Pereira expects to face Carlos Ulberg after beating Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320
During an in-studio appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show in early September, Pereira discussed the current state of the light heavyweight title picture.
While both Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. are looking to secure another opportunity at the belt on the undercard of UFC 320, Pereira does not seem interested in running it back with either man.
With that in mind, Pereira pointed to a charging contender who is yet to challenge for UFC gold as the likely next contender after Saturday’s rematch.
“I beat Jiri twice, defeated Khalil,” Pereira said, having already ruled out a trilogy fight against Ankalaev. “So, Ulberg seems to be the guy who has been climbing up the ranks and showing good performances. So probably him.”
Those comments came a few weeks before the Kiwi star strengthened his claim with a successful outing Down Under. Ulberg knocked out Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth in emphatic fashion before announcing his desire to serve as backup for the upcoming title fight in his division.
Carlos Ulberg would rather challenge Magomed Ankalaev for the title than Alex Pereira
Interestingly, despite Pereira’s stardom, the Brazilian will not be the man who the division’s consensus top contender cheers for at UFC 320.
Speaking to Submission Radio prior to his victory over Reyes, Ulberg said he’d rather challenge Ankalaev than Pereira down the line.
“I’ve always seen Ankalaev as a big threat,” Ulberg said. “So is ‘Poatan’. He’s got the power, he’s got the goods. But yeah, I’m sitting on the fence.
“I’d like Ankalaev to get that win because I know what I can do with him,” he added.