SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – OCTOBER 05: Alex Pereira of Brazil warms up before his UFC fight … [+]
Reigning UFC heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has been one of the hottest topics of conversation in mixed martial arts. After an amazing 2024, Pereira’s star has risen and his next fight is of great interest to many in the MMA community.
A rumored move to the heavyweight division to face Alexander Volkov is being debunked by veteran combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani.
According to sources cited by Helwani, Pereira is not planning a move to heavyweight any time soon. These sources say the plan is for Pereira to fight Magomed Ankalaev, the No. 1 contender. 1 in the UFC heavyweight division.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 07: Alexander Volkov of Russia walks out of the Octagon after his heavyweight … [+]
The original report involving Volkov suggested he would get the first shot at Pereira in the heavyweight division because many feel he was robbed in his last fight with Cyryl Gane at UFC 310.
Perhaps Volkov will be paid at another time in another situation.
Helwani is among the most reliable people in our space, so most are inclined to believe his reports. Believing in Helwani’s reporting, instead of asking if Pereira will face Ankalaev, we’ll instead ask how it might happen given the circumstances.
Pereira has said he plans to return in March, which suggests March 8 at UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, if this is the date, Ankalaev will be extremely annoying during his training.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 26: Russia’s Magomed Ankalaev reacts after a win … [+]
Ankalaev is Muslim and if the fight takes place on March 8, his training camp will last until Ramadan. This means he will fast and may compromise himself physically as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career.
While that is the case, it is possible that Ankalaev has been given an ultimatum by Pereira and/or the UFC to fight in March. If he doesn’t get the fight in March, Pereira could choose to fight someone else, which would push Ankalaev’s title shot to later in the year.
The 32-year-old last fought in October when he won a unanimous decision over Aleksandër Rakić. There is no doubt that he is the most deserving challenger for Pereira’s title, but whether he will be ready to perform at the peak of his abilities remains to be seen.
I would expect more concrete information on Pereira’s situation in the next week or two, possibly as early as next Saturday before or during UFC 311.
What’s next for the UFC?
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 10: Mackenzie Dern poses at the scales during UFC Fight Night … [+]
The UFC is back on Saturday with UFC Vegas 101. Two fighters missed weight, but every fight on the card is still happening. Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas will return in the main event, a rematch of their 2019 clash that the latter won by unanimous decision.
Here’s a look at the card and the weigh-in results.
- Mackenzie Dern (116) vs. Amanda Ribas (116)
- Santiago Ponzinibbio (171) vs. Carlston Harris (170)
- Abdul Razak Alhassan (185.5) vs. Cesar Almeida (185.5)
- Chris Curtis (185.5) vs. Roman Kopylov (185.5)
- Christian Rodriguez (145) vs. Austin Bashi (145.5)
- Uros Medic (171) vs. Punahele Soriano (171)
- Jose Johnson (128.5)* vs. Felipe Bunes (126)
- Marco Tulio (185.5) vs. Ihor Potieria (188)*
- Thiago Moises (155.5) vs. Trey Ogden (155.5)
- Preston Parsons (171) vs. Jacob Smith (170.5)
- Ernesta Kareckaite (126) vs. Nicolle Caliari (125.5)
- Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (205) vs. Bruno Lopes (205.5)
- Fatima Kline (116) vs. Victoria Dudakova (116)
- Nurullo Aliev (155.5) vs. Joe Solecki (155)
* Weight lost
