Following his impressive fourth-round TKO victory over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307, Alex “Poatan” Pereira successfully defended his light heavyweight title. Having competed three times in just six months, Pereira indicated he would take some well-deserved time off. However, the landscape of the light heavyweight division is dynamic, and potential contenders are already emerging, with Magomed Ankalaev seemingly next in line.
Magomed Ankalaev Announces Potential Fight with Pereira
Magomed Ankalaev, the No. 1 ranked light heavyweight contender, recently expressed his gratitude to UFC CEO Dana White on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting he has been promised a title shot against Alex Pereira. Championship Rounds shared Ankalaev’s statement:
“🚨 Magomed Ankalaev says that Dana White has informed him that he will be fighting Alex Pereira next 👀 #UFC #MMA”
Check out Championship Rounds’ X post confirming the next light heavyweight title bout below:
This announcement indicates that a Pereira vs. Ankalaev matchup is highly probable for Pereira’s next fight. While many fans and analysts speculated about a potential superfight between Pereira and former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, it appears those plans are on hold, at least for Pereira’s immediate future.
Jon Jones’ Future and the Tom Aspinall Factor
Dana White clarified the situation regarding Jon Jones’ fighting future. White stated that if Jones intends to continue fighting after his upcoming UFC 309 bout, his next opponent would be Tom Aspinall, not Alex Pereira. MMA Orbit highlighted these comments in an X post:
“🚨| Dana White has told @jimrome that if Jon Jones wants to keep fighting after #UFC309 he must take on Tom Aspinall. ‘If Jon Jones wants to fight again after Saturday night, he will fight Tom Aspinall.'”
Check out the X post from MMA Orbit below:
Despite apparent mutual interest between Jones and Pereira for a future clash, the UFC seems to have different plans. Therefore, a superfight between these two MMA titans is unlikely to materialize in the short term. This development strengthens the likelihood of Pereira defending his light heavyweight belt against the surging Magomed Ankalaev.
Ankalaev’s Pursuit of the Light Heavyweight Title
Magomed Ankalaev has been vocal about his desire to face Alex Pereira and Jon Jones. Following his dominant unanimous decision victory over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308, Ankalaev, who is clearly the top contender in the division, took to X to assert his claim, stating he was ready to face both champions:
“Jones doesn’t want to fight [Tom] Aspinall, Pereira is recovering and I’m hungry. I will beat Pereira and after that I can beat Jones”
Check out Magomed Ankalaev’s post to Alex Pereira and Jon Jones below:
Ankalaev has previously accused Pereira of avoiding a fight, further fueling the anticipation for their potential matchup. While Pereira’s camp may have initially explored the possibility of a high-profile fight with Jon Jones, it now appears that the most logical and likely next step for “Poatan” is a title defense against the hungry and determined Magomed Ankalaev.
When Will Pereira vs. Ankalaev Take Place?
While indications strongly suggest Magomed Ankalaev will be Alex Pereira’s next challenger for the light heavyweight title, the exact date and event for this potential fight remain unconfirmed. Pereira initially expressed a desire to take some time off after his recent series of fights. However, with Ankalaev seemingly confirmed as the next opponent and eager to compete, fight announcements could be imminent. MMA fans should stay tuned for official updates from the UFC regarding “When Does Alex Pereira Fight Next” and the highly anticipated clash with Magomed Ankalaev.
