Alex Pereira
Poatan
Brazil
Gets title shot at heavyweight
Pereira will take on Cyril Gane for the Interim Heavyweight Championship at the UFC White House card scheduled for June 14.
ANALYSIS
When we last saw Pereira, he was getting his belt back with a first-round finish over Magomed Ankalaev back in October. He's been sidelined since due to a foot fracture, but with eighth months of recovery time before this historic card, he should be at or near full strength when the cage doors close. When they do, Pereira will be in search of the elusive, active double-champ status. One might think Pereira would be giving up a size advantage at heavyweight, but he's always endured massive weight cuts at middleweight and light heavyweight, so when it's all said and done, he'll be giving up just two inches in reach to Gane, with both men standing at 6-foot-4. Both fighters land more than five significant strikes per minute in the UFC, and neither offers much in terms of wrestling, so look for this to be a stand-up affair as long as it lasts. Gane opened up as the betting favorite offshore, but the line quickly flipped in Pereira's favor, and he sits as a favorite of approximately of approximately (-140) with the fight three months away.
When we last saw Pereira, he was getting his belt back with a first-round finish over Magomed Ankalaev back in October. He's been sidelined since due to a foot fracture, but with eighth months of recovery time before this historic card, he should be at or near full strength when the cage doors close. When they do, Pereira will be in search of the elusive, active double-champ status. One might think Pereira would be giving up a size advantage at heavyweight, but he's always endured massive weight cuts at middleweight and light heavyweight, so when it's all said and done, he'll be giving up just two inches in reach to Gane, with both men standing at 6-foot-4. Both fighters land more than five significant strikes per minute in the UFC, and neither offers much in terms of wrestling, so look for this to be a stand-up affair as long as it lasts. Gane opened up as the betting favorite offshore, but the line quickly flipped in Pereira's favor, and he sits as a favorite of approximately of approximately (-140) with the fight three months away.
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Diagnosed with fractured foot
Pereira said Friday that he suffered a left foot fracture during his victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on Saturday, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pereira's latest victory allowed him to reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship; however, he's now expected to be out of commission for the next eight months. That timeline is significant, as it allows the 38-year-old just enough time to recover and prepare for UFC White House on June 13.
Pereira's latest victory allowed him to reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship; however, he's now expected to be out of commission for the next eight months. That timeline is significant, as it allows the 38-year-old just enough time to recover and prepare for UFC White House on June 13.
Dominates to regain UFC gold
Pereira regained the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Magomed Ankalaev via TKO (elbows) at 1:20 of Round 1 at UFC 320 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Ever since he originally dropped his title to Ankalaev in March, Pereira has been telling everyone that would listen that he wasn't in a great spot, either mentally or physically, for their first fight. Not many people believed it. Turns out, he appears to have been telling the truth. After barely touching Ankalaev for 25 minutes the first time around, he got him out of there in 80 seconds here. Alex simply pushed forward the second the opening bell rang, and Magomed had no answer. One huge right hand connected, forcing Ankalaev to try to grab a leg. Pereira simply shrugged him off and ended up in top position. Countless unanswered elbows later, the gold was his once again (as was a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus). The 38-year-old Brazilian is likely looking at a date with either Carlos Ulberg or Jiri Prochazka his next time out. Pereira has already defeated the latter twice, both via knockout, so Ulberg, who defeated Dominick Reyes via KO in last week's main event, would probably be the leader in the clubhouse to be next in line.
Ever since he originally dropped his title to Ankalaev in March, Pereira has been telling everyone that would listen that he wasn't in a great spot, either mentally or physically, for their first fight. Not many people believed it. Turns out, he appears to have been telling the truth. After barely touching Ankalaev for 25 minutes the first time around, he got him out of there in 80 seconds here. Alex simply pushed forward the second the opening bell rang, and Magomed had no answer. One huge right hand connected, forcing Ankalaev to try to grab a leg. Pereira simply shrugged him off and ended up in top position. Countless unanswered elbows later, the gold was his once again (as was a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus). The 38-year-old Brazilian is likely looking at a date with either Carlos Ulberg or Jiri Prochazka his next time out. Pereira has already defeated the latter twice, both via knockout, so Ulberg, who defeated Dominick Reyes via KO in last week's main event, would probably be the leader in the clubhouse to be next in line.
Title rematch booked
Pereira will get a chance to regain his former light heavyweight championship belt against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on Oct. 4, according to UFC President Dana White (via Instagram Live).
ANALYSIS
Well, that appears to be a wrap on rumors of a move to the heavyweight division (for now). Pereira had been attempting to make his fifth title defense against Ankalaev when the two fought last March, but he seemingly couldn't get out of first gear. A dangerous kickboxer by trade, Pereira allowed Ankalaev to get a 94-to-76 edge in significant strikes over the five-round decision. Effectively, Pereira could enter as an underdog here, but you can never discount the heart of a former champion -- especially one with the fight-ending power Pereira possesses.
Well, that appears to be a wrap on rumors of a move to the heavyweight division (for now). Pereira had been attempting to make his fifth title defense against Ankalaev when the two fought last March, but he seemingly couldn't get out of first gear. A dangerous kickboxer by trade, Pereira allowed Ankalaev to get a 94-to-76 edge in significant strikes over the five-round decision. Effectively, Pereira could enter as an underdog here, but you can never discount the heart of a former champion -- especially one with the fight-ending power Pereira possesses.
Drops 205-pound title in Vegas
Pereira lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Magomed Ankalaev via unanimous decision (47-48, 46-49, 47-48) at UFC 313 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a close, competitive fight, and there's at least a case to be made that Pereira deserved to win. He landed plenty of his trademark low kicks and stuffed all 12 of Ankalaev's takedown attempts, but when push came to shove, Alex simply wasn't aggressive enough on the feet. We're used to him stalking his prey in hopes of damaging them with power shots. We didn't see any of that here. Sure, he landed a few big blows here and there, but Ankalaev was primarily the one pushing forward. Alex also found himself getting controlled on the fence for long stretches at a time -- a terrible visual for the judges. All in all, this feels like the correct decision. It was Pereira's first loss since April 2023, a knockout at the hands of Israel Adesanya. "Poatan" will be back.
It was a close, competitive fight, and there's at least a case to be made that Pereira deserved to win. He landed plenty of his trademark low kicks and stuffed all 12 of Ankalaev's takedown attempts, but when push came to shove, Alex simply wasn't aggressive enough on the feet. We're used to him stalking his prey in hopes of damaging them with power shots. We didn't see any of that here. Sure, he landed a few big blows here and there, but Ankalaev was primarily the one pushing forward. Alex also found himself getting controlled on the fence for long stretches at a time -- a terrible visual for the judges. All in all, this feels like the correct decision. It was Pereira's first loss since April 2023, a knockout at the hands of Israel Adesanya. "Poatan" will be back.
To defend title at UFC 313
Pereira will defend his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Magomed Ankalaevat UFC 313 on March 8, per the UFC 311 broadcast.
ANALYSIS
It will be the fourth title defense at light heavyweight for the always-active Pereira, and it will come against the only opponent who truly makes sense. Ankalaev is without a loss in the UFC since his 2018 debut, picking up 11 victories over that span (although there was a draw and a no-contest in there). While Pereira's recent comments suggested Ankalaev wasn't worthy, and there's always been rumors of a move up to heavyweight, the UFC ultimately got the right deal done. As is usually the case, Pereira should be leagues ahead of this opponent in the stand-up game, though Anklaev does offer a uniquely-skilled grappling attack that will put Pereira's 70 percent takedown defense to the test. Pereira will still enter as the betting favorite, however, as nobody has yet been able to hold him down long enough to put his dangerous striking in check.
It will be the fourth title defense at light heavyweight for the always-active Pereira, and it will come against the only opponent who truly makes sense. Ankalaev is without a loss in the UFC since his 2018 debut, picking up 11 victories over that span (although there was a draw and a no-contest in there). While Pereira's recent comments suggested Ankalaev wasn't worthy, and there's always been rumors of a move up to heavyweight, the UFC ultimately got the right deal done. As is usually the case, Pereira should be leagues ahead of this opponent in the stand-up game, though Anklaev does offer a uniquely-skilled grappling attack that will put Pereira's 70 percent takedown defense to the test. Pereira will still enter as the betting favorite, however, as nobody has yet been able to hold him down long enough to put his dangerous striking in check.