Daniel Cormier warns Alex Pereira on Jon Jones dream fight after worrying defeat at UFC 313

Magomed Ankalaev snagged the 205-pound title from the dominant Alex Pereira at UFC 313. The fight wasn’t all that flashy to leave a mark. However, it’s the matter of how Ankalaev was the aggressor against “Poatan,” known for his striking. Given the result, Daniel Cormier thinks the former champ shouldn’t hold out for a heavyweight or Jon Jones fight any soon.

Three times in the near past, Alex Pereira used up his mic time after title fights to wish for a 265-pound shift. Jon Jones, who is now 2-0 at heavyweight limits, considered him a better legacy option for his career as well. Decorated fighter Daniel Cormier has faced “Bones” two times, and knows what fighters are up against. Hence, he advises Poatan against it.

Despite no takedowns landed, Ankalaev gave Alex Pereria some surprise challenges on the feet. This is two times in a row Pereira has faced stiff challenges in his own striking backyard. Khalil Rountree Jr. almost broke through with his Muay Thai atop the UFC 307 PPV main event. Daniel Cormier mentioned as much in a later video on his own channel (@DC_MMA).

In Pereira’s defense, Plinio Cruz, his coach at Teixeira MMA & Fitness/’Glover’s Garage,’ said the fighter was suffering from a broken arm and ribs in the lead-up to UFC 313. While he did pull through on other occasions with drastic knockouts, he could not replicate previous success.

Hence, ‘DC’ advises not to go up against Jon Jones or other big guys at 265 pounds. UFC CEO Dana White, who already thought “Bones” would outgrapple him, has also snubbed out such heavyweight dreams.

UFC 313 post-event records: A study in Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev after 205-pound title match

After 365 days of telling that he would do so, Magomed Ankalaev put the ex-champ in uncharted waters during the UFC 313 PPV headliner. One who has boasted multiple knockouts before. In doing so, Ankalaev is now the 18^th undisputed (1^st from Russia) UFC light heavyweight beltholder.

With a 12-1-1 run (21-1-1 MMA), the Dagestani has gone unscathed for a long while now. Ankalaev’s 14-fight UFC unbeaten streak is the fifth in UFC competition. It trails behind Jon Jones [20], Anderson Silva [16], Kamaru Usman [15], and Islam Makhachev [15]. It’s also the most in 205-pound competition after Jones, who once had it at 18.

Ankalaev defends 87 percent of all TD action from opponents, the highest percentage in this weight class, according to UFC Stats. However, Las Vegas saw little to no wrestling action or defense, barring some late-round clinching. He has been predominantly a striker overall. His 6 knockout victories are also a record high in UFC light heavyweight competition.

Alex Pereira has been a brand value champ, but all things must come to an end. He now falls to 5-1 since he moved up to the 205 class in 2023. This also marks the first decision loss in his career. Pereira was poised for some title records, but that’s a thing of the past now.

“Poatan” did net the UFC 313 Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout tier for $42,000. The total disclosed payout went for $213,500. Now, Magomed Ankalaev will earn in that bracket to enter a card as a champion post-UFC 313.

Related: 5 UFC super fights Dana White needs to make in 2025

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