UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has firmly dismissed the idea that his first title defence in 2025 will be against number one contender Magomed Ankalaev.
According to Alex Pereira, only a few opponents make sense for him, but with two major fights already set for Q1 2025, he may have to wait on the sidelines for a while.
Pereira Rejects Ankalaev’s Title Challenge: ‘It Won’t Be Ankalaev!’
Last month, Magomed Ankalaev, the number 1 ranked light heavyweight contender, hinted that while Alex Pereira hasn’t signed a contract yet, he expects to fight for the UFC title in Spring 2025. During a Q&A Ankalaev said;
“Pereira has not yet agreed to the fight, but sooner or later it will happen. I think it could take place in May,”
The 20-1-1 contender also shared his plans to beat Pereira twice in 2025, writing on social media that he would “give him a rematch in July and then beat one of these bums like Jamahal Hill or Jiri [Prochazka] in Abu Dhabi in October”.
However, it seems Alex Pereira is already moving past Ankalaev’s constant callouts. The Brazilian fighter posted a striking compilation from his fight with Khalil Rountree Jr. on Instagram, captioning it:
“It won’t be Ankalaev!”
Alex Pereira also shared the same message on X (formerly Twitter), with Ankalaev quickly responding with a simple “Chicken” and three emojis.
Alex Pereira’s Next Title Defense: What Options Lie Ahead After Ankalaev?
If Alex Pereira dismisses Magomed Ankalaev, what are the next potential options for his 2025 title defence?
The most likely matchups would likely be against the winner of two major light heavyweight bouts confirmed for early 2025.
The first is at UFC 311 on January 18th, where former champions, Jiri Prochazka (#2) and Jamahal Hill (#3) will face off. Both men have suffered knockout defeats to Alex Pereira, and he may be eager to face Hill again, especially after their heated exchange at UFC PI.
However, a more probable option is for Alex Pereira to fight the winner of the Jan Blachowicz vs Carlos Ulberg clash at UFC Fight Night London in March. Blachowicz hasn’t fought since his loss to Alex Pereira in July 2023, which remains Poatan’s toughest fight at light heavyweight. Ulberg is on a seven-fight win streak and could soon become a rising star in the division.
A more unexpected option could be for Alex Pereira to challenge Jon Jones for the heavyweight title. While this is the least likely scenario, Dana White’s recent cryptic comments about “something crazy in 2025” make this possibility intriguing.
Though Ankalaev should ideally be next in line, if Pereira moves past him, the winner of Blachowicz vs Ulberg may be his best challenge.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
