Alex Pereira rejects Magomed Ankalaev as his next UFC opponent – so who's in the mix for 'Poatan' in 2025?
12/19/2024 04:06 AM
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has vehemently rejected the notion that his first title defense of 2025 will be against Magomed Ankalaev, despite the Russian being the #1 ranked contender.
If we take Alex Pereira at his word, there are only a handful of potential opponents who would make sense for 'Poatan' instead – but with two enormous fights already scheduled for Q1 2025, the Brazilian might find himself sitting out on the sidelines for some time.
Alex Pereira rejects Magomed Ankalaev as his next UFC opponent
Last month, #1 ranked light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev teased that whilst Alex Pereira had not yet signed the contract, he expects to fight for the UFC title in Spring 2025.
"Pereira has not yet agreed to the fight. But sooner or later it will happen, I think the fight can take place in May," stated Ankalaev during a Q&A.
The 20-1-1 contender would also reveal that he's planning on beating Pereira twice in 2025, writing on social media that he "will give him a rematch in July, and then beat one of these bums like Jamahal Hill and Jiri [Prochazka] in Abu Dhabi in October."
Unfortunately for the Russian, it sounds as if Alex Pereira is already moving on from his near-constant callouts.
The Brazilian sensation took to Instagram earlier this morning to share a compilation of his striking versus Khalil Rountree Jr with the caption: "It won't be Ankalaev!"
Pereira would re-share the "It won't be Ankalaev" post to his X (Twitter) page, with Ankalaev himself quick to reply "Chicken," alongside three chicken emojis.
UFC fans speculate on who could face Alex Pereira next
If we take Alex Pereira at his word and briefly consider Ankalaev to be out of the title conversation, what are the potential options for Poatan's next title defense?
Arguably the most likely scenarios would be for Pereira to fight the winner of one of two enormous light heavyweight fights that have already been confirmed for Q1 of 2025.
The first takes place at UFC 311: Makhachev vs Tsarukyan on January 18 between former champions Jiri Prochazka (#2) and Jamahal Hill (#3).
Both men are coming off KO losses to Poatan, although we're positive that Pereira would jump at the opportunity to silence Hill once and for all – especially after their viral confrontation at the UFC PI.
However, the more likely scenario would be for Pereira to face the winner of Jan Blachowicz vs Carlos Ulberg; which has been confirmed for the main card of UFC Fight Night London in March.
Blachowicz hasn't competed since a split-decision loss to Pereira in July 2023 – undoubtedly the toughest fight that Poatan has had since moving up to 205lbs.
Ulberg is riding a seven-fight winning streak and could very well be the new 'face' of the division – as long as he's pushed into a title shot relatively quickly since the 'Black Jag' turned 34 years old in November.
One final option… Could be the big one: A move up to heavyweight in order to challenge Jon Jones for the heavyweight title.
Whilst that is arguably the most unlikely scenario of the bunch, given Dana White's recent tease about 'something crazy in 2025', we'd be remiss if we didn't mention 'Bones' as at least a viable option.
Ankalaev should 100% be next, but if Poatan moves on from the Russian; we'd argue the winner of Blachowicz vs Ulberg is the one to make – what do you think?
