MMA News

Tag: Alex Pereira

  • VIDEO: Alex Pereira & Jamahal Hill Get Into Heated Confrontation At UFC PI

    VIDEO: Alex Pereira & Jamahal Hill Get Into Heated Confrontation At UFC PI

    The animosity between former UFC opponents Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill threatened to boil over this week.

    Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, and former titleholder Hill met inside the cage at UFC 300 this past April, headlining the pay-per-view with “Poatan’s” gold on the line. The American’s plan to regain the belt was quickly foiled when he fell victim to the Brazilian’s renowned left hook inside the very first round.

    Since then, “Sweet Dreams” has attracted plenty of criticism from the MMA community for his reaction to defeat. Hill has continuously blamed Herb Dean’s brief intervention after Pereira was struck low, despite subsequently touching gloves with the champ to resume the fight and throwing a strike at the same time as the shot that floored him.

    Those remarks have been joined by claims that Pereira ‘fears’ running it back with the #3-ranked contender. Unsurprisingly, “Poatan” didn’t look scared when Hill confronted him at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas on Thursday.

    A video released by Full Send MMA shows Hill approaching his ex-opponent before stating, “Not on Twitter now,” as Pereira went for a respectful fist bump.

    At that point, “Poatan” switched his attitude toward “Sweet Dreams,” throwing a pair of gloves and inviting him to spar. Hill did not take up the offer.

    Before the possibility of the pair sharing the Octagon once again becomes a reality, they’ll both seemingly have other work to do in the new year.

    For Hill, a fight date is officially in the calendar. He’ll meet a fellow former champ in Jiří Procházka at the first PPV of 2025, UFC 311 at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome on Jan. 19.

    Pereira, meanwhile, is without a date for his fourth title defense. He is, however, expected to next face the challenge of Magomed Ankalaev.

  • Jamahal Hill Debates Who Got KO’d Worse By Alex Pereira With Jiří Procházka: ‘You Got Dominated…I Got Caught!’

    Jamahal Hill Debates Who Got KO’d Worse By Alex Pereira With Jiří Procházka: ‘You Got Dominated…I Got Caught!’

    The hype for one of UFC 311’s most anticipated bouts is underway, as former light heavyweight champions Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka traded barbs over who had it worse in their unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the gold earlier this year.

    Both Hill and Procházka never lost the championship inside the Octagon. They also challenged Alex Pereira earlier this year in attempts to claim the gold but were easily disposed of.

    “Sweet Dreams” challenged Pereira at UFC 300, getting dropped and finished in the very first round. “BJP,” meanwhile, was rocked and dropped at the end of the first round in his UFC 303 rematch with “Poatan” before being finished seconds into the second frame.

    Procházka recently brought about his criticism of Hill’s fighting style, putting his fighting IQ into question. Hill responded through a YouTube video, taking shots at several of his light heavyweight counterparts, including a response to his upcoming Czech opponent.

    Jamahal Hill vs. Jiří Procházka: Who Got KO’d Worse By Alex Pereira?

    “We had the same opponent in our last fight, right? In your last performance, you got dominated and knocked out,” Hill said. “You got dominated, and I got caught. There’s a huge difference. You’ve even got your ponytail leaning to the left. I hope you wear that ponytail in our fight so I can lean it back to the right for you.

    “We can compare every performance — while I put on dominant performances, you just survive and scrape by with a win. We’re not the same.”

    Procházka won the light heavyweight championship with a submission of Glover Teixeira at UFC 275. However, he vacated the title by the end of 2022 without making a defense due to an injury.

    Hill went on to capture the belt with his own victory over Teixeira at UFC 283. Hill, however, was forced to vacate the title, too, after his own injury. That allowed for the initial fight between Pereira and Procházka that headlined UFC 295, with the Brazilian finishing “BJP” there as well.

  • Jon Jones’ Coach Says Alex Pereira Makes Him Excited To Try & End His Current Streak

    Jon Jones’ Coach Says Alex Pereira Makes Him Excited To Try & End His Current Streak

    A potential fight between the UFC’s heavyweight and light heavyweight champions is a divisive talking point right now. Despite that, it can’t be forgotten how big a clash between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira would be even if Dana White doesn’t seem sold on the idea.

    There are reasons why this fight shouldn’t be next for both men even if “Poatan” comes through his likely next challenger in Magomed Ankalaev. Not only does interim champion Tom Aspinall make the most sense to face Jones next time out, there’s an argument that putting Pereira in there with a heavyweight who is a dominant grappler could tarnish his star potential.

    However, from the perspective of Jones’ team and the heavyweight champ himself, it’s easy to see why this match-up would be appealing. Jones has some clear advantages in this fight but the striking of Pereira is going to make any potential contest more exciting.

    That’s exactly the point made by Brandon Gibson during a recent interview with Inside Fighting after Jones’ team were left incredibly satisfied by the performance that “Bones” put on against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Gibson believes that though there are some unknowns surrounding Aspinall, we’ve seen Pereira go into deep waters and come out on top in huge, high-profile fights time and time again and that makes him an interesting puzzle to try and solve.

    “I think that’s a great stylistic match-up. Pereira has such dynamite in his hands and with his kicks. Incredible pressure, championship mentality and to see what he’s accomplished and the streak he’s been on is something that has us exciting to go and try to figure out and solve that puzzle but Jon brings so many tools to the table, I think it’s more challenging for another team and set of coaches to try to solve the riddle, the problem that is Jon Jones.”

  • UFC Rankings Report: Jon Jones Denied Pound-For-Pound Top Spot

    UFC Rankings Report: Jon Jones Denied Pound-For-Pound Top Spot

    As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away.

    And in the aftermath of UFC 309, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: Dana White won’t be pleased looking at the updated P4P pecking order. Jon Jones’ successful heavyweight title defense at Madison Square Garden wasn’t enough to convince the panel that he should have the crown, with that remaining in Islam Makhachev’s possession. “Bones” has, however, climbed above Alex Pereira (#3) into the #2 position.

    Further down, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira (#15) has returned to the list as a result of his triumph over Michael Chandler on Saturday night. That’s left ex-middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya without a number entirely.

    Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

    Women’s Flyweight: There was just one change at 125 pounds, with Karine Silva’s defeat to Viviane Araújo at UFC 309 pushing her back one place to #12. That’s provided a boost for Tracy Cortez, who is up one spot to #11 months on from her main event loss to Rose Namajunas.

    Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.

    Flyweight: No changes.

    Bantamweight: Marcus McGhee has debuted in the UFC rankings following his victory over Jonathan Martinez. “The Maniac” has entered at #14, while his defeated opponent is no longer ranked. Aiemann Zahabi has been a beneficiary of those changes, seeing his number improved by one to #13.

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: A few changes unrelated to Saturday’s pay-per-view have taken place at 155 pounds. That includes a switch of positions for Mateusz Gamrot and Beneil Dariush, with the former up to #8 and the latter down to #9. It’s a similar situation further down the ladder, with Paddy Pimblett climbing above Jalin Turner (#14) to #13.

    Welterweight: No changes.

    Middleweight: No changes.

    Light Heavyweight: No changes.

    Heavyweight: Following his defeat to Jones, Stipe Miocic announced his retirement from active competition inside the cage. With that, he’s swiftly been removed from the UFC rankings and replaced by Shamil Gaziev, who’s slot in at #15.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Only UFC Fighter to Beat Magomed Ankalaev on What Could Cost Him in a Fight With Alex Pereira

    Only UFC Fighter to Beat Magomed Ankalaev on What Could Cost Him in a Fight With Alex Pereira

    At UFC 308, Magomed Ankalaev seemingly cemented his status as the next man to challenge Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title. Aside from one draw and a no contest, the Russian contender has won eleven fights in a row inside the Octagon and has waited a long time for his opportunity.

    In his latest win in Abu Dhabi last month, he stuck to his word by standing and striking with Aleksandar Rakić for three rounds in order to prove a point about his well-rounded skill set. Ankalaev’s striking has certainly improved during his time in the UFC but there’s no denying that his grappling is still his strongest attribute, even if he doesn’t use it much.

    Ankalaev’s one and only loss in the UFC came on his debut with the promotion where he faced Scotland’s Paul Craig in London. “Bearjew” was coming off of consecutive knockout losses at the time so needed a win in order to keep his UFC dream alive.

    Despite being moments away from losing the fight, he incredibly pulled off a buzzer beater submission with just one second left on the clock, catching Ankalaev in a triangle choke. Ahead of his return at UFC 309 this weekend where he faces Bo Nickal at middleweight, Craig gave his thoughts on Ankalaev’s chances of becoming the champion in a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA.

    Craig believes that his former foe is in a good position to dethrone “Poatan” but he cannot afford to go into this fight with the same stubbornness that will see him strike with the champion rather than utilizing his grappling.

    “When you bring in someone like the Dagestanis who have incredible wrestling pressure and work ethic, it’s tough. Do I think Ankalaev can beat Pereira? I do believe he can. I believe he’s got all the credentials as long as he doesn’t go into this thing where he believes he’s a striker. You stand in front of someone with a kickboxing pedigree that Pereira has and I believe it can be a 50:50 lottery sometimes. Ankalaev, if he plays his skill set well and uses his wrestling and uses his striking to get in deep and out wrestle, I believe that’s how he can get that victory.”   

  • Jon Jones Picks Alex Pereira Over Tom Aspinall As Preferred Next Opponent

    Jon Jones Picks Alex Pereira Over Tom Aspinall As Preferred Next Opponent

    Jon Jones will defend his UFC heavyweight championship for the first time against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. After winning the title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023, the newly crowned champion suffered a shoulder injury that delayed his fight with the former UFC heavyweight kingpin.

    While many fans are interested in watching two legends face each other before they hang up their gloves, others simply want the UFC heavyweight division to move forward. Tom Aspinall has defended his interim UFC heavyweight belt once and has finished most top contenders in the first round.

    Jones is a considerable favorite against Miocic, and while he’s teased retirement in the past, he discussed potential future opponents during an interview on the Kevin Iole YouTube channel.

    “Tom Aspinall, is, I don’t want to say nobody but, he just hasn’t proven anything. He hasn’t done anything and I understand that, I mean he won his belt against Sergei. Sergei just got slaughtered by someone else, so, it’s just like, I’m not here to gamble someone else making a name off of me,” He continued. “A guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be, not only financially worth it, but, legacy worth it, would be Alex Pereira.”

    When asked if he would fight Aspinall after beating Miocic, Jones outright rejected the current interim UFC heavyweight champion. He compared the English heavyweight to Johnny Walker, who many thought could dethrone “Bones” at light heavyweight.

    “Bones” mentioned that he’s accepted a fair amount of risky fights back in the day, and he now only expects an opponent that makes sense to him financially and legacy-wise. On these grounds, he named Alex Pereira a more exciting fight than Aspinall.

    Unsurprisingly, “Bones” is being called out for not giving any credit at all to an interim champion with a title defense. That said, it’s hard to speculate on the future of the heavyweight division accurately until the UFC 309 main event concludes.

  • Khalil Rountree Reveals Latest Image Of Facial Injuries Suffered At The Hands Of Alex Pereira

    Khalil Rountree Reveals Latest Image Of Facial Injuries Suffered At The Hands Of Alex Pereira

    UFC light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree is still sporting the wounds of what a war with champion Alex Pereira will bring.

    Rountree had his first title opportunity on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage early last month in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he headlined the UFC 307 pay-per-view in competition for Pereira’s 205-pound strap.

    While his shot came as a surprise to many given his position in the rankings, “The War Horse” rode a wave of confidence into the chance for glory owing to a destructive five-fight win streak.

    And against the odds and expectations of many, the challenger got off to a strong start and was on track to extending that run with the addition of some gold.

    But Rountree’s early lead was quickly pulled back in the third frame as “Poatan” began to find a home for his strikes. In the fourth, the show was closed by a brutal onslaught from the Brazilian that left his American opponent bloodied and bruised.

    Rountree wasn’t short on gruesome battle scars in the aftermath, with the worst injury being a severely deviated septum that required a painful procedure to fix.

    And almost exactly a month on from his setback in the “Beehive State,” the 34-year-old has provided the latest update on his condition, posting an image on Instagram of the scars that remain on his nose and around his eyes.

    While he ultimately did not leave the Octagon with the light heavyweight title wrapped around his waist, it certainly seemed that Rountree boosted his stock among the MMA masses with a valiant display at the Delta Center.

    He’ll look to build on that with a return to winning ways in his return. Pereira, meanwhile, appears likely to meet the challenge of Magomed Ankalaev in his fourth defense of the 205-pound championship next year.

  • Magomed Ankalaev Continues To Berate Alex Pereira: ‘Willing To Fight Everyone Short Notice But Me’

    Magomed Ankalaev Continues To Berate Alex Pereira: ‘Willing To Fight Everyone Short Notice But Me’

    When Belal Muhammad was announced to have withdrawn from his upcoming welterweight title defense at UFC 310, everyone had the same thought. If the UFC needed someone to step in and save the main event, there was only one name they could call.

    The biggest argument for Alex Pereira being the 2024 fighter of the year is that he has stepped up and delivered for the UFC when they needed him most on several occasions. “Poatan” has already saved two big cards in UFC 300 and UFC 303 but doing it again would have been unthinkable.

    It also appeared from his social media that his likely challenger, Magomed Ankalaev, was down to make a quick turnaround from UFC 308 to fight on December 7 in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, it now looks like Pereira’s last fight against Khalil Rountree in October will stop him from doing that.

    During a recent appearance on the Podpah podcast, Pereira revealed that he’s dealing with a hand injury after Rountree was able to withstand a lot of damage before being stopped in the fourth round.

    “In that 4th round, I was throwing jabs and it was hurting my hand man, I swear. I was thinking ‘my hand must be broken’. It still hurts today. It’s not that bad, but if I touch right here it hurts.”

    Though Pereira has fought through injuries in the past, “Poatan” faces a tough test in Ankalaev who he’ll surely want to be at his best for. This was echoed in Ankalaev’s response to the video on social media.

    The top light heavyweight contender replied to Pereira’s comments and claimed that the champion knows that he can’t risk it this time around unlike some of his previous fights.

    “Willing to fight everyone short notice but with me, he knows he have to be ready he’s not stupid”

  • Alex Pereira Approached To Save The Day — Again — After UFC 310 Loses Main Event

    Alex Pereira Approached To Save The Day — Again — After UFC 310 Loses Main Event

    The UFC has reportedly turned to a familiar face in Alex Pereira after losing its headline attraction for the final pay-per-view event of the year.

    Reports emerged on Thursday regarding a potential injury suffered by UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad, who was booked to headline UFC 310 in Las Vegas on Dec. 7 in defense of his title against Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    “Remember the Name” subsequently confirmed the disappointing news on social media, posting an image of a gruesome bone infection that hospitalized him and will keep him out of training for the next six weeks.

    With that, the promotion will need to secure a new headline matchup to close out its PPV schedule for 2024. And when it comes to saviors, no one has fit the description in 2024 quite like “Poatan.”

    Pereira, a former UFC middleweight champion and the reigning light heavyweight kingpin, has had a bumper year inside the Octagon, reeling off three straight title defenses in record-breaking speed to establish himself as one of the sport’s biggest stars.

    The manner of his first two defenses only added to the plaudits thrown his way, with Pereira saving the promotion after a struggle to secure a suitable UFC 300 main event and the withdrawal of Conor McGregor from UFC 303 less than three months later.

    Having added the name of Khalil Rountree to his reign’s list of victims at UFC 307 earlier this month, it appeared that Pereira would finally be due a long-earned rest.

    While that still might be the case, MMA Mania is reporting that “Poatan” has indeed been contacted about headlining UFC 310 against Magomed Ankalaev in light of Muhammad vs. Rakhmonov being off.

    The welterweight number one contender seemingly has something to say about that, however. After wishing his injured opponent well on X, “Nomad” called to remain on the UFC 310 card in competition for an interim welterweight strap.

    It remains to be seen whether Muhammad will be out for long enough to warrant the creation of another belt. But should no other options come to fruition for the Dec. 7 headline slot, the promotion has previously shown a willingness to add interim belts to the equation in such scenarios.

  • UFC Vet Chimes In On Pereira vs. Topuria Fighter Of The Year Debate: ‘Alex Didn’t Knock Out P4P Greats’

    UFC Vet Chimes In On Pereira vs. Topuria Fighter Of The Year Debate: ‘Alex Didn’t Knock Out P4P Greats’

    Matt Brown believes that Ilia Topuria has the edge over Alex Pereira in the discussion for UFC Fighter of the Year.

    “El Matador” secured the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February. Subsequently, Topuria successfully retained his belt last Saturday in the main event of UFC 308, making history as the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway.

    Meanwhile, “Poatan” successfully defended his light heavyweight title three times in just six months, with all victories coming by way of knockout. He began this impressive streak by stopping Jamahal Hill in the first round at UFC 300 in April. He then defeated Jiri Prochazka on two weeks’ notice at UFC 303 in June. Most recently, Pereira stopped Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 earlier this month.

    With less than two full months remaining in 2024, Pereira stood out as the leading contender for Fighter of the Year. However, “The Immortal” contends that Topuria’s impressive knockout victories over two of the top 145-pounders in history had already secured him the year-end accolade, placing him ahead of the Brazilian and all other contenders.

    During a recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer (via MMA Fighting), Brown noted that while “El Matador” might have one fewer win than Pereira this year, the caliber of his opponents in title fights has set a new benchmark for competitive excellence.

    “Alex didn’t knock out three pound-for-pound greats. Ilia knocked out two pound-for-pound greats,” Brown said. “As great as those guys were that Alex fought, they weren’t Holloway or Volkanovski… I don’t think you can compare to that. I’m all on the Ilia train for Fighter of the Year. Again, I wish we could give something to Alex. What he did was remarkable but it wasn’t Max Holloway and Volkanovski.”

    “I think he’s got a lock for Fighter of the Year this year. He’s got a long reign ahead of him. He’s still got a long way to go to be up there with the [Georges St-Pierre’s] and Anderson Silva’s, but he’s right on that path.”

  • Alexander Volkanovski On Ilia Topuria’s Fighter Of The Year Claim: ‘If It Wasn’t Pereira Saving Cards…’

    Alexander Volkanovski On Ilia Topuria’s Fighter Of The Year Claim: ‘If It Wasn’t Pereira Saving Cards…’

    Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is backing Ilia Topuria for 2024’s Fighter of the Year accolade despite Alex Pereira’s record-breaking run.

    Topuria took another step toward greatness on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, where he headlined the UFC 308 pay-per-view against BMF titleholder and 145-pound legend Max Holloway.

    After shockingly putting Volkanovski down in Anaheim this past February, “El Matador” repeated the feat at Holloway’s expense, becoming the first to knock the Hawaiian out in the process.

    Just weeks ago, many saw the Fighter of the Year debate as being wrapped up after Pereira defeated Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 to record his third successful light heavyweight defense of the year.

    Pre-UFC 308, though, Volkanovski outlined a strong case for Topuria were he to add Holloway’s name to his growing résumé in the sport’s leading promotion.

    And during an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Volkanovski said there wouldn’t even be a debate about “Poatan” pipping Topuria to the post if it wasn’t for the way in which his assignments came together.

    The Australian pointed out that Pereira is credited with ‘saving’ the promotion after a struggle to find a suitable UFC 300 main event and the late-notice withdrawal of Conor McGregor weeks before UFC 303.

    “A few things come into play when you’re saving cards. Put it this way, if it wasn’t Pereira saving cards and putting his belt on the line while saving cards, it would be clearly Ilia,” Volkanovski said. “Yeah, you’ve had three defenses, but the two that Ilia took out and finished us both, it’s hard to pick against Ilia, to be honest.

    “Before this past weekend, I was like, ‘How does Pereira not get it?’ It was pretty clear,” Volkanovski continued. “It’s pretty impressive, man. It’s tough to say.”

    Pereira’s victories over Jamahal Hill, Jiří Procházka, and Rountree this year came in the space of just 175 days, breaking Ronda Rousey’s record for the shortest time to record three consecutive defenses.

    The level of competition Topuria has faced, however — alongside the manner with which he’s beaten two of the greatest of all time — has made him a popular choice for Fighter of the Year.

    Beyond that discussion concluding in a couple of months’ time, Volkanovski appears likely to be the one next tasked with bringing Topuria’s violent run to an end.

    After he entered the cage for a respectful interaction with the champ in Abu Dhabi, the Australian was confirmed as the next challenger by UFC CEO Dana White, setting the stage for a monumental rematch in 2025.

  • Magomed Ankalaev To Alex Pereira: ‘Stop Running Away From Me’

    Magomed Ankalaev To Alex Pereira: ‘Stop Running Away From Me’

    Magomed Ankalaev is confident that Alex Pereira is actively avoiding a showdown, and he’s eager to step into the Octagon with him.

    Fresh off a decisive victory over Aleksandar Rakic on the main card of UFC 308, Ankalaev believes he’s earned a title shot. His decision win at UFC 308 showcased his skill, positioning him as a top contender. Speaking to the media after the fight, Ankalaev voiced his suspicions, suggesting that the promotion may be shielding Pereira from the matchup.

    No More Running

    “Let’s do it: Alex, stop running away from me. … I’ve heard he wants to fight during Ramadan. We’re not fighting in Ramadan. But after Ramadan or before, if he agrees, we’ll fight.”

    Ankalaev added, “I think he’s being protected. I’m not sure why the UFC is doing it, but it seems they’re shielding him. He’s an exciting fighter and a strong striker, so maybe they’re just trying to save him.”

    Undefeated since 2018, Ankalaev’s fighting style has drawn some criticism, with some detractors labeling it “boring.” However, he remains a formidable contender in the light heavyweight division, eager for his chance to face Pereira.

  • ‘Ain’t Beating Pereira’ – Fans React As Magomed Ankalaev Outpoints Aleksandar Rakić At UFC 308

    ‘Ain’t Beating Pereira’ – Fans React As Magomed Ankalaev Outpoints Aleksandar Rakić At UFC 308

    Is Magomed Ankalaev next in line to face Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title? That’s what the question is following his victory over Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308.

    The first round saw plenty of leg kick trading, with Rakić using his attacks to pile on damage to Ankalaev’s lower body. The Russian, however, slowly found success with the left hand, and that extended into the second round. In another close round, Ankalaev’s left hand proved to be a powerful weapon, with “Rocket” seemingly troubled by its attack toward his body.

    Ankalaev continued to find success, while Rakić sought for a takedown in the third round and hoped to play things safe — after his corner controversially told him he was up two rounds.

    The Austrian’s team may have been shocked (unlike plenty of others) then to find out the judges all gave 29-28 nods to Ankalaev.

    Magomed Ankalev Gets Decision Win At UFC 308, Tells Alex Pereira To ‘Stop Running’

    https://twitter.com/ElonovMMA/status/1850263439480111541
    https://twitter.com/ElonovMMA/status/1850262537285390678

    The top contender is unbeaten since dropping his UFC debut in 2018. He came into this fight off a brutal knockout of Johnny Walker in January.

    Rakić, meanwhile, has now lost three straight, which also includes a TKO loss to former champion Jiří Procházka at UFC 300.

  • UFC Veteran: Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira ‘Could Be As Big’ As A McGregor Fight

    UFC Veteran: Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira ‘Could Be As Big’ As A McGregor Fight

    A recently retired UFC fighter believes the promotion could cash in big time by having reigning light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira challenge his heavyweight counterpart, Jon Jones.

    The possibility of Jones facing Pereira was barely a topic when the former debuted at heavyweight by winning the then-vacant title back in March 2023. At the time, “Poatan” occupied the throne at 185 pounds.

    But since the end of his middleweight reign the following month, Pereira has moved up to light heavyweight and marked himself as one of the promotion’s leading stars by achieving two-division glory.

    And a string of three straight title defenses in 2023 has left many calling for the Brazilian kickboxing specialist to move up again in pursuit of a historic achievement — championship glory in three separate weight classes.

    Though Pereira was dismissive of an immediate heavyweight jump in the aftermath of his victory over Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 earlier this month, many are hoping for the promotion to push for it should Jones keep hold of his gold beyond next month’s Madison Square Garden event.

    During a recent episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, former UFC welterweight Matt Brown touched on the topic and was firm in his belief when it comes to the magnitude of the potential clash.

    “I don’t doubt this could be as big as any Conor fight,” Brown said. “This could be promoted to the max. They could do it (International) Fight Week or one of the gigantic cards maybe at the Sphere, something crazy. This could be enormous. Jon’s a smart guy. He’s here for the money now, I think. Legacy and money and Alex is going to bring that. It could be promoted as much as you want to promote. This could be the money fight. It’s heavyweight, too. Heavyweight fights always bring a stigma to them that those lighter fights just don’t bring.

    “Conor obviously brought the trash talk and all the antics, the funny stuff and the cool stuff, there’s a certain aura when Conor comes into the cage,” Brown continued. “But there’s a different aura that can be sold here when Jon Jones, the greatest of all-time, who just beat the greatest heavyweight of all-time — assuming that happens — fighting another guy trying to do the biggest thing of all-time, (become) a three-weight world champion. I can’t think of a bigger fight outside of Conor, but I think it could be as big as any Conor fight.”

    The bout has evidently been discussed internally, with UFC CEO Dana White revealing earlier this year that color commentator Joe Rogan has been pushing for “Poatan” and “Bones” to be matched up.

    For the time being, Jones has his focus on the returning Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Beyond that, most believe any continued stay in the sport as an active fighter should see him unify the heavyweight title against Aspinall.

    But perhaps the UFC would share Brown’s view on the draw of Jones vs. Pereira instead.

  • Belal Muhammad Targeting ‘Alex Pereira Schedule’ In 2025: ‘I Love To Fight’

    Belal Muhammad Targeting ‘Alex Pereira Schedule’ In 2025: ‘I Love To Fight’

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad wants to be active — just as much as record-breaker Alex Pereira.

    Muhammad has fought once in the past 17 months, but that inactivity is not down to his doing. After defeating Gilbert Burns on short notice in May 2023, “Remember the Name” banked his long-awaited first title shot on MMA’s biggest stage.

    Unfortunately for him, he had to wait for then-champion Leon Edwards to settle his business with Colby Covington before cashing in on his opportunity at UFC 304 in Manchester, England this past July.

    Despite a lengthy break from competition, Muhammad looked at his best inside the Co-op Live, dominating Edwards across five rounds to extend his unbeaten run to 11 and capture the 170-pound crown.

    The new kingpin will now return five months later to put his gold on the line for the first time at UFC 310 this December, headlining the pay-per-view event opposite the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    Muhammad outlined his plans for the new year should he get past the threat posed by “Nomad” during a recent interview with John Morgan for Grind City Media.

    While he’ll make the walk on Dec. 7 as the underdog, “Remember the Name” is no stranger to upsetting the odds. And he fully expects to do so once again before embarking on an Alex Pereira-esque campaign in 2025.

    “I love to fight. It’s so hard to stay healthy in this game that if if I’m healthy, I wanna be in the cage,” Muhammad said. “People are like, ‘Oh, we thought you were gonna wait a year to defend and you’re gonna push it longer because it took you this long to get in.’ Sitting on the couch doesn’t get you paid, sitting on the couch doesn’t make me happy. I wanna get happy by competing. I love to compete and it’s such a small window in this game where you don’t know what tomorrow is gonna hold that I’d rather stay busy.

    “The hardest thing for me was that wait (after beating Gilbert Burns),” Muhammad continued. “I wanted to get into the cage. I wanted to fight. And then for 2025, I’m trying to get on that Alex Pereira schedule. … Next year, for myself, is just (about) staying busy.”

    After winning the light heavyweight title in late 2023, Pereira has gone on to rack up three straight defenses this year in record-breaking speed. His victims were Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 in April, Jiří Procházka at UFC 303 in June, and Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 earlier this month.

    Before looking to potentially replicate that feat next year, Muhammad must first vault his reign’s first hurdle by getting the better of Rakhmonov at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

  • Alex Pereira Slams The Door Shut On Jake Paul Boxing Match

    Alex Pereira Slams The Door Shut On Jake Paul Boxing Match

    UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira has closed the door on the possibility of fighting Jake Paul.

    Pereira, fresh off his third title defense after finishing Khalil Rountree in round four of their UFC 307 headliner, revealed that he plans to take time off, with a projected return around March.

    While “Poatan” had previously shown some interest in a potential boxing match against Paul — who is set to fight Mike Tyson next month — he made it clear that this fight is not in the cards. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani for Uncrowned, the Brazilian suggested that Paul wouldn’t be calling him out if it weren’t for his UFC contract.

    “I’m going to be honest, of course boxing interests me,” Pereira said when asked about a future boxing match with Paul. “But he knows that I’m under contract with the UFC, and I can’t just leave. I think that’s why he calls [me out] and says all of that.”

    “If the UFC were a league that allowed everyone to fight everywhere, he wouldn’t be saying that,” Pereira added.

  • Bisping: Alex Pereira Convincing UFC To Sign His Former Rival Speaks Volumes

    Bisping: Alex Pereira Convincing UFC To Sign His Former Rival Speaks Volumes

    Usually it’s up the UFC matchmakers or Dana White himself to decide which talent they want to bring into the promotion. At the Apex this past Tuesday night on another episode of Contender Series, it was the promotion’s light heavyweight champion that helped make this call.

    Alex Pereira told White why he should sign his former kickboxing rival Artem Vakhitov despite the fact that he delivered a performance that wasn’t overly impressive. The elite striker did get the first round finish but he didn’t exactly blow the roof off the place either.

    “Poatan” jokingly remarked to his former opponent in a video that was posted on social media that Vakhitov now owes him one.

    Michael Bisping Gives Credit To Alex Pereira For Pushing UFC To Sign Artem Vakhitov

    Michael Bisping, who was on commentary for this episode of Contender Series, gave his thoughts on the situation in a recent YouTube video. He said that what Pereira did at the Apex shows exactly the kind of competitor that he is.

    Though Vakhitov is a long way away from getting a shot at the light heavyweight title, his history with Pereira as the last man to beat the Brazilian star in kickboxing is exactly why he’s there in the first place.

    Bisping said it should be commended how Pereira could have easily dismissed his previous opponent, knowing that he could be a threat to him at some stage. The former UFC middleweight champion also pointed out that this could be Pereira being motivated by revenge.

    “The fact that Dana asked him, ‘Hey, this guys who’s the last person to beat you,’ that might get kind of fast tracked a little bit, that might possibly get decent favorable match-ups to meet you because there’s a big storyline and he was the last person to beat you and if he stands and trades with you and plays you at your own game, he might take the title off you. Pereira could have said, ‘well it wasn’t that good was it really, I expected more.’ He could have played down the performance but no, he said he absolutely deserves a shot, gibe him a shot. I’m telling you right, that not only speaks about the type of man that he is but it also speaks about the type of competitor that he is.”

  • Bisping Sees UFC Championship Potential In Artem Vakhitov

    Bisping Sees UFC Championship Potential In Artem Vakhitov

    Artem Vakhitov wouldn’t be signed to the UFC right now if it wasn’t for the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira. The former GLORY kickboxer, who was the last man to beat “Poatan” in the sport, earned a contract on this week’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Let alone getting this opportunity if it wasn’t for the history that he has with Pereira, the champion himself convinced Dana White to give his former foe a contract after the UFC boss wasn’t overly impressed by his performance at the Apex.

    Vakhitov is still very early on in his MMA career but of course, a third fight between them taking place in MMA would be a big deal but that’s still a long way in the distance right now.

    Bisping on Artem Vakhitov’s Potential

    Vakhitov is sure to get some special treatment once he arrives into the UFC, even if he just moves through the ranks a little faster than most.

    The issue with that is that he’s not ready to compete against top contenders at light heavyweight however, a striking match between him and Pereira would suit him a lot better.

    Former UFC champion Michael Bisping gave his reaction to how this all played out during a recent YouTube video.

    “The Count” was on commentary for this episode and though he also wasn’t overwhelmed by what he saw from Vakhitov on his UFC job interview, he believes that Pereira’s former rival could make it to the top in the years to come. Acknowledging it’s going to be a long road to the top, Bisping sees the greatness.

    “ I think he could do it, I think he’s got the potential. He’s got to work on the takedown defense. he’s got to get used to the little gloves. he’s got to get used to people with offbeat rhythms, because MMA strikers are a bit different to polished kickboxers but if he can do that.

    if he can do the work and apply himself, I think he could have a very bright future and we could see that fight at some point down the line.” 

    – Michael Bisping on Vakhitov’s potential
  • UFC Legend Glover Teixeira Teases Comeback With Pereira’s Encouragement

    UFC Legend Glover Teixeira Teases Comeback With Pereira’s Encouragement

    Glover Teixeira recently revealed that he’s contemplating a UFC comeback, spurred on by none other than Alex Pereira.

    Teixeira hung up his gloves for good after a one-sided unanimous decision defeat to Jamahal Hill at UFC 283 in January 2023. This marked his second consecutive loss following a fifth-round submission to Jiří Procházka at UFC 275 in June 2022, a result that saw him lose the UFC light heavyweight title.

    Since stepping away from the sport, the 44-year-old Brazilian has embraced the role of mentor to reigning UFC 205-pound kingpin Pereira, playing an instrumental part in his fellow countryman’s meteoric rise to the top of the division.

    It seems that being surrounded by elite athletes and coaching them has reignited Teixeira’s competitive spirit, awakening a newfound enthusiasm for making his return…

    Teixeira On His Potential Comeback: ‘I Keep Going After Challenges’

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Teixeira disclosed his aspirations for a possible return to active competition, be it within the UFC or through another venture.

    “There’s nothing [booked], but I’ll definitely go back to competition,” Teixeira said. “I keep going after challenges. It’s hard to stay [training] with no reason why, so I’ll definitely do something. I want to compete. I’ll do some jiu-jitsu, I wanna do… I don’t know, maybe boxing. Or even go back for some fights in the UFC. That’s got to be it because it’s hard, man. I’m feeling great, fighting hard with the guys in the gym. I’ve rolled with some wrestlers, training with Sean Strickland and ‘Poatan.’”

    The former UFC light heavyweight champion further shared that it has been Pereira encouraging him to consider a comeback to the sport.

    “I was doing some light sparring with ‘Poatan’ the other day, and he’s like, ‘F**k, Glover, you have to come back!’ I’m training well, and I’m feeling good. I love this. I’m not saying I want to fight, but I want to compete. If it’s jiu-jitsu, Lovato, or guys like that, I wanna do some matches, that’s for sure.”

    Teixeira made his UFC debut in May 2012 and experienced a career filled with significant highs and lows. After an impressive five-fight win streak from 2019 to 2020, he captured the UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Jan Błachowicz at UFC 267 in October 2021.

    Teixeira currently holds a professional record of 33-9, with 18 of those victories coming by way of knockout and 10 secured through submissions.

  • Jamahal Hill Finally Explains Yawning After Alex Pereira Beat Khalil Rountree

    Jamahal Hill Finally Explains Yawning After Alex Pereira Beat Khalil Rountree

    UFC 307 was yet another card saved by Alex Pereira as he put on a memorable performance against Khalil Rountree, an opponent who unexpectedly gave him a tough fight.

    The challenger landed several clean shots in the first two rounds, keeping fans worldwide at the edge of their seats. However, Pereira eventually altered his game plan and unleashed his gas tank in the third to sway the momentum and win via TKO in the fourth.

    The UFC 307 main event was anything but boring, which explains why fans weren’t happy with Jamahal Hill yawning in the audience. The former UFC light heavyweight champion has finally opened up on his true intentions behind the reaction…

    Jamahal Hill Calls Out ‘Disrespectful’ MMA Fans For Misunderstanding His Reaction To Alex Pereira Knocking Out Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Hill recently broke down all UFC 307 fights on his YouTube channel. Before diving deep into the main event, he claimed his yawning reaction was misunderstood by the media.

    “Sweet Dreams” gave Rountree his props for giving the UFC light heavyweight kingpin a run for his money in the first two rounds. The challenger performed much better than his expectations in every way. In contrast to what Hill had predicted, Rountree landed efficiently, had decent cardio, and showed exceptional durability.

    “It’s crazy how y’all see a clip with no context, no nothing and y’all just be ready to talk s**t and just attack and come disrespectful as ever. And it’s like hilarious, all right. So, now, I wasn’t miked up, or anything like that, so I couldn’t explain the context of the yawn and things like that after the fight. I think I did hear a reporter told Alex, “Oh, Jamahal said the fight was boring.” I never said the fight was boring.”

    Hill also clarified that he never claimed Pereira vs. Rountree to be a boring fight. Him yawning after the main event was a way to tell that he wasn’t surprised or impressed. To prove this, he even reflected on his UFC 307 predictions.

    “Now, to the yawn, the yawn at the end was. Was it entertaining? Yes. Was I impressed? No. I was not impressed. You know, I’m ready to go. Did I see anything in the cage that scares me or that I didn’t expect to see? No. So, as far as reacting and everything, I don’t think I really need to do much of a reaction to this fight because, before, if you watch, or you watch my breakdowns, you can see I told you exactly how the fight was going to go.”

    To be fair to Hill, he did mention Rountree’s inability to land counters against properly set-up shots, especially jabs. He also mentioned that the challenger would gas early as the height disadvantage would compel him to explode to hit “Poatan”. Both these predictions were indeed on point.

  • Conor McGregor Declares Alex Pereira UFC’s No. 1 P4P Fighter

    Conor McGregor Declares Alex Pereira UFC’s No. 1 P4P Fighter

    Fans worldwide witnessed the masterful performance of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 307, where he faced Khalil Rountree.

    Despite Rountree winning the first two rounds on the judges’ scorecards, Pereira found his rhythm and secured a fourth-round finish to claim victory. Following the fight, discussions about Pereira’s place among the all-time greats in the promotion began to intensify.

    In an interview with The Schmo, Conor McGregor weighed in on Pereira’s dominance, asserting that no one could deny his spot at the top after such a stellar year. McGregor went so far as to call Pereira the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.

    Spot Well Earned

    “2024 has been Alex Pereira’s year, no one can deny that,” McGregor said. “If we go by that—forget belts or any of that—it’s about competition. Three fights this year, four knockouts. I’d put Alex Pereira at number one.”

    – Conor McGregor

    McGregor last fought in 2022, when he suffered a devastating leg injury in a fight with Dustin Poirier in a trilogy bout that resulted in Poirier’s victory.  UFC President Dana White has stated that he expects McGregor to return to the Octagon in early 2025.

  • Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

    Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

    Michael Bisping closely watched the main event of UFC 307, witnessing the masterful performance of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira against Khalil Rountree. Rountree fought valiantly, even winning the first two rounds on the judges’ scorecards, but Pereira found his rhythm and finished Rountree in the fourth round.

    Former UFC middleweight champion Bisping has been thoroughly impressed by Pereira’s dominance and sees him as UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. He pointed out Pereira’s remarkable run and his emphatic victories.

    “Pereira is going through everybody. Three title defenses in seven months and taking the world by storm. So, if you go through the top 10, it’s really hard to deny Alex Pereira is No. 1.”

    – Michael Bisping

    Bisping further emphasized that finishing opponents is a key factor in becoming the pound-for-pound best

    “To be pound-for-pound No. 1, you’ve got to be finishing people. You can’t be scraping by them with split decisions. You’ve got to do it in emphatic fashion, and I don’t think there’s anyone out there with the finishing ability of Alex Pereira. It is frightening what he can do.”

    – Michael Bisping
  • Khalil Rountree Reveals Brutal Alex Pereira Loss Forced Him To Undergo ‘Most Painful Procedure’

    Khalil Rountree Reveals Brutal Alex Pereira Loss Forced Him To Undergo ‘Most Painful Procedure’

    The pain for UFC light heavyweight Khalil Rountree did not end with his failed title challenge in Salt Lake City this past weekend.

    Rountree received a surprise opportunity to unseat Alex Pereira from the 205-pound throne in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view, and he was on track to do so through two rounds.

    Against the odds, “The War Horse” started on top, moving two frames clear on all three scorecards. But after the tide began to turn in round three, “Poatan” increased the heat in vicious fashion once they hit the championship rounds.

    The finishing sequence in the fourth stanza made for painful viewing, and the damage suffered by the challenger was unsurprisingly not just superficial…

    Rountree On Post-UFC 307 Surgery: ‘Very, Very Uncomfortable’

    During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Rountree reflected on his valiant performance in Utah on Oct. 5 and detailed the damage that Pereira’s fight-ending onslaught left him with.

    The 34-year-old revealed that he exited the cage at UFC 307 with a badly deviated septum, which required an incredibly painful procedure to correct days on from the defeat.

    “I don’t know what punch, but I know that last uppercut before the body shots definitely landed on my nose. But I already had felt some pain in my head,” Rountree said. “It could’ve been from that, but after we got the scans and everything the night of the fight, the doctors saw that there was some slight fracturing and a severely deviated septum. So we went right ahead and corrected that as soon as I got home.

    “Definitely the most uncomfortable, painful procedure I’ve ever had last night,” Rountree continued. “It was the hardest sleep. My mouth is constantly dry and just a constant headache. Inside my nose, my nasal cavities right now are just stuffed with sponges and splints. It’s very, very uncomfortable.”

    Nevertheless, Rountree stated that every injury and blemish is worth it in his pursuit of championship glory on MMA’s biggest stage.

    And while he didn’t reach it first time around, “The War Horse” has vowed to bounce back stronger in 2025.

  • Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract

    Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract

    Alex Pereira is by far the most outstanding athlete the UFC has signed in recent years. Six of his ten UFC fights have been for a title, and he now holds the record for the quickest turnaround for three title defenses in the promotion.

    Pereira’s quick rise to the top of MMA has perplexed many in the community. He is a kickboxing specialist but the lack of wrestling and grappling experience has yet to bother him in the UFC.

    Artem Vakhitov, who defeated Pereira via decision at Glory 78, has signed with the UFC after winning at Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 9. The UFC President is happy to witness the influx of kickboxers in the UFC and thanked the UFC light heavyweight champ for it…

    Dana White Explains How Israel Adesanya And Alex Pereira Inspired Kickboxers To Enter The UFC

    During the DWCS 75 episode’s press conference, White talked about the recent wave of kickboxers coming to the UFC. He believes the success Israel Adesanya and Pereira have had in the promotion to be the reason behind this.

    Over the years, grappling has gradually become one of the most effective tools for success in MMA. Strikers often struggle to keep the fight on the feet against wrestlers but Adesanya and Pereira are huge exceptions. As a result, a lot of kickboxers with similar careers as these legends are now willing to try out their luck in the UFC.

    The UFC CEO pointed out that many kickboxers have fought gruesome battles for less money than they deserved. By showcasing their exciting standup in the UFC, they can significantly boost their earnings and fame.

    “What I actually think, like we were saying earlier, it’s fascinating how these guys that came out of this whole circuit with Israel and Alex, including them, are doing so well in the UFC. It’s fascinating, so, yeah, why not?” White continued, “I think it’s all of it. Obviously, those guys fought, you know, crazy fights, that I’m sure they didn’t make any money. Joanna Jędrzejczyk and many others. And come over here and it’s absolutely life-changing for them.”

    While he was announcing the contracts for DWCS Season 8, Week 9, Laura Sanko asked White about Pereira’s halo effect in the UFC. Here’s how he responded:

    “100%. It’s fascinating and that these guys are coming over here with so many kickboxing fights. And they’re wrestling is on point. It’s actually fascinating.”

    Vakhitov is a great example of the same. He’s just secured a UFC contract but has already generated a lot of hype because of his win over Pereira in kickboxing. Interestingly, “Poatan” himself convinced White to sign Vakhitov.

  • Conor McGregor Weighs In On Alex Pereira Facing An ‘Untested’ Jon Jones At Heavyweight

    Conor McGregor Weighs In On Alex Pereira Facing An ‘Untested’ Jon Jones At Heavyweight

    Conor McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but a toe injury forced him to withdraw. The UFC already had most of its pay-per-view events in 2024 booked ahead of time, so “The Mystic Mac” could not return before the end of the year like he wanted to.

    Chandler, in the meantime, has finally moved on from McGregor and will be facing Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. Winning the matchup can help the former get a title shot in the UFC lightweight division or he could fight his original opponent again with even higher stakes.

    The real talk of the town, though, is Alex Pereira who’s defended his UFC light heavyweight belt thrice in 2024. Here’s what McGregor thinks of a superfight between “Poatan” and Jon Jones.

    Conor McGregor Calls Alex Pereira The Pound-For-Pound Best UFC Fighter And A Threatening Opponent For Jon Jones

    McGregor recently appeared on The Schmo YouTube channel for a quick interview. When asked who should be the best pound-for-pound UFC fighter in the world, he vouched for the Brazilian to get the title.

    Next up, “The Notorious” discussed why he thinks Pereira should move up to heavyweight. For starters, it’s a great opportunity to create history by becoming the first three-division UFC champ ever. He admitted to assuming that “Poatan” had a difficult weight cut for UFC 307 but then pointed out that it could be due to antibiotics and other health concerns.

    McGregor, like countless other fans, acknowledged that Magomed Ankalaev deserves to fight Pereira at light heavyweight. However, if the UFC light heavyweight champ moves up a weight class, he should fight Jones according to the Dubliner.

    McGregor reflected on Jones’ impressive but quick heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane in March 2023. He believes that the former UFC light heavyweight champ is still untested at heavyweight and Pereira’s explosive yet patient style could be a tough puzzle to solve.

    The Irishman also claimed that Jones’ size at heavyweight shouldn’t be a problem for Pereira. Although he’s only faced middleweights and light heavyweights yet, he should be able to fit in with the heavyweights naturally.

    “I’d put Alex as number one [pound-for-pound]. I think he poses a lot of problems for Jon also. You know, that’s a dangerous style for Jon but it’s a decent one for him coz he’s not, you know, so big. Jon is new to the heavyweight division. Jon, he had a nice one against Ciryl Gane but he’s still untested at heavyweight. And I’m sure, in the back of his mind, he has that thought that you know, some of these guys are really big. Alex is a nice one and it’s still a dangerous one, though. Probably, even at the core of it, it’s probably even more dangerous.”