Alex Pereira faces huge 22-pound hurdle ahead of UFC 313 fight against Magomed Ankalaev

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is set to defend his title in a few days against Magomed Ankalaev.

Alex Pereira faces huge 22-pound hurdle ahead of UFC 313 fight against Magomed Ankalaev

Alex Pereira reveals his current weight days before facing Magomed Ankalaev (Image via Imago/X)

In just a few days, the highly anticipated clash between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev will take place. This fight is scheduled as the headliner bout of UFC 313 this weekend. With only a few days remaining until the UFC light heavyweight champion’s fourth title defense, Pereira has recently dropped to his current weight.

Interestingly, just a few weeks ago, ‘Poatan’ surprised fans when he stepped on the scale and showed a weight of 235lbs. Since that time, Alex Pereira has slimmed down a bit. Yesterday, Pereira and his team boarded a private jet to arrive in the fight capital of the world. After landing in Las Vegas, the beloved Brazilian fighter weighed himself and found he currently weighs 103.2kg, which translates to 227.5lbs

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Pereira needs to lose 22.5 pounds in the next five days to avoid losing his UFC title on the scale. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time when concerns about the Brazilian fighter’s weight have surfaced in the UFC community. Over the years, weight-cutting procedures have taken a significant toll on fighters, making them appear depleted. However, despite these challenges, Pereira has never missed weight.

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Alex Pereira reveals weight ahead of UFC 312 (Image via Alex Pereira Instagram Stories)

In the weeks leading up to his fight, Pereira’s activities drew the attention of several prominent figures. Many expressed frustration with the UFC light heavyweight for appearing too relaxed about facing Magomed Ankalaev.

However, as fight day approaches, it seems that both fighters are fully dedicated to their training sessions. With the UFC light heavyweight title at stake, this is an equally important fight for both Pereira and Ankalaev.

Magomed Ankalaev gives a brutal prediction for his fight against Alex Pereira

Magomed Ankalaev comes from a lineage of Dagestani MMA fighters and has built an impressive reputation within the UFC community. Fighters like Ankalaev are often recognized for their discipline and dominance in the octagon. While Alex Pereira was spotted in the streets of Australia, his upcoming opponent remained focused on his preparations.

Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev training for their fight at UFC 313
Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev training for their fight at UFC 313 (Image via Instagram/UFC)

Ankalaev has not been a fan of Pereira for a long time, as he does not consider the Brazilian fighter a true champion. As a result, both UFC light heavyweight fighters have frequently exchanged harsh comments. Given their heated rivalry, a few hours ago, Ankalaev made a bold prediction about how his matchup with Pereira will unfold.

Training camps finish. I’m ready for war Saturday night I will change this guy‘s face
@ufc 313 I’m looking for a finish from the first minute.

Magomed Ankalaev via X (@AnkalaevM)

Currently, Pereira is on an impressive five-fight win streak in the UFC light heavyweight division. Most recently, the Brazilian fighter delivered a brutal beating to Khalil Rountree, successfully defending his title for the third consecutive time. Notably, if Pereira surpasses the Ankalaev challenge at UFC 313, he will set a significant record for the most title defenses within a single year.

Related: Alex Pereira Fight Record: How many defeats does “Poatan” have in his career?