Much-awaited return of UFC superstar Alex Pereira to avenge title loss gets spilled by MMA Insider

UFC superstar Alex Pereira is expected to fight Magomed Ankalaev in a light heavyweight title rematch that could happen after July.

Much-awaited return of UFC superstar Alex Pereira to avenge title loss gets spilled by MMA Insider

Alex Pereira's next fight (via X)

Nobody in the UFC is more active than Alex Pereira, a warrior who always steps up regardless of the opponent. Pereira’s popularity skyrocketed due to his devastating striking, thrilling knockouts, and his mysterious demeanor inside and outside the cage. The Brazilian fan favorite seemed unstoppable until UFC 313, where Magomed Ankalaev exposed weaknesses and handed him a shocking defeat.

The Russian fighter had a plan that he used effectively throughout the rounds to win the fight via a unanimous decision. Now, according to popular MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, it seems like ‘Poatan’ is close to taking his revenge. In a recent video, Helwani talked about Pereira potentially fighting in the main event of UFC 319 in Chicago. 

Alex Pereira fought in October. He then came back in March and he’s probably gonna fight again in August, that’s three times.

Ariel Helwani via his YouTube channel 

Before his loss to Magomed Ankalaev, Pereira defended his light heavyweight belt against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307. It was his third fight in 2024, ending all title defenses via KO/TKO, something that left everybody in awe. However, the Brazilian doesn’t seem to wait and waste his days, and likes to stay as busy as possible.

Despite winning, Ankalaev still wants a rematch to silence Pereira’s claims and prove his superiority without any doubts. He confidently vowed to make the rematch short, ending it early with a dominant performance that leaves no room for controversy. Although Pereira may enter as the underdog, his terrifying knockout power always makes him a dangerous threat at any moment.

Alex Pereira’s rival reviews his UFC 313 performance 

Going into UFC 313, Alex Pereira was the fan favorite due to his striking prowess and incredible momentum. However, he didn’t get the opportunity to use it against Magomed Ankalaev, who kept him guessing with his takedown threats. Pereira stuffed 12 takedowns, which was a testament to his improved takedown defense, but that significantly affected his striking. 

Alex Pereira was different against Magomed Ankalaev
Alex Pereira was different against Magomed Ankalaev (via X)

Ankalaev was able to put immense pressure on the Brazilian and kept pushing forward, leaving no breathing space. Former title contender Khalil Rountree was present in the octagon side and saw everything up close. In a recent interview, he shared how Pereira looked different at UFC 313, which affected his performance. 

It was hard for me to watch that fight and to score it…. But I just felt that the Alex that walked out that night was a different Alex that walked out the night that him and I fought. I just saw it because I was still – I know what it’s like to be there in the cage. So when I saw him walking out for Ankalaev, I just saw like a different guy. I watched it in frustration, you know? I couldn’t even really watch it. I was like, ‘I don’t understand what’s going on because it shouldn’t be like this.’

Khalili Rountree via MMA Today

Pereira’s UFC journey has been largely dominant, showcasing brutal power and elite striking that overwhelmed most of his opponents completely. However, losses to Magomed Ankalaev and Israel Adesanya revealed vulnerabilities, exposing areas where Pereira could be controlled or outmaneuvered strategically. These defeats humanized Pereira, who is often regarded as an undefeated force inside the octagon. 

Going into the rematch, Pereira can take revenge by refining his takedown defense, as well as effectively mixing with his striking. He could use his devastating leg kicks early to disrupt Ankalaev’s movement and limit his ability to shoot or counter effectively. Maintaining range and keeping the fight within his strength makes the most sense and it would be interesting how it turns out. 

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