Alex Pereira Next Fight: What next for ‘Poatan’ after brutal UFC 287 loss?

UFC 287 managed to capture the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Israel Adesanya defeated Alex Pereira with a brutal second-round knockout reclaiming his middleweight throne. With Adesanya being one of the most active fighters, we might witness him defending his belt again this year. However, things will be quite different for Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira. The Brazilian might be moving up a weight class after his loss against Adesanya. Although this is not a hundred percent confirmed, it looks more probable.

After his first fight with Israel Adesanya in the UFC, everyone thought of Alex as this undefeatable monster of the division. While there were clear gaps in his wrestling, his destructive punches made up more than enough for it. With his recent loss at UFC 287, Alex will have to go back to the drawing board and reconfigure his game plan.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ffA1O8_SmT8

According to Dana White, Alex Pereira should move up a weight class to avoid harsh weight cuts. This is true since Alex had more than 2 pounds to cut 1 hour before the weigh-ins. Moving up looks like the most logical move for Pereira, but he will have to plan that after six months. After getting knocked out in a brutal fashion, Alex will likely be receiving a 6-month medical suspension. That said, Alex will surely fight someone among the top 5 in the light heavyweight division for his return.

With his addition to a division full of killers, the hierarchy of power might change as it once changed in the middleweight division. Fans are excited to pitch in matchups that make the most sense for Alex Pereira.

Related : “I just have to rest and continue” – Alex Pereira breaks silence after devastating knockout loss against Israel Adesanya

Can Alex Pereira get an immediate title shot against Jamahal Hill?

After the light-heavyweight title was vacated by Jiri Prochazka, Glover Teixeira, and Jamahal Hill fought for the vacant spot. Jamahal Hill defeated Glover Teixeira to become the UFC light heavyweight champion at UFC 283. At that point in time, Alex Pereira was the middleweight champion after defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 281. With Glover retiring and Hill winning the title, many fans speculated Alex Pereira will avenge his coach and teammate Glover Teixeira.

Alex Pereira walks around at 230 lbs, so cutting to 205 lbs is far easier than cutting to 185 lbs. Many believed Pereira defeats Israel Adesanya again and moves up a weight class to fight for the light heavyweight title. Jamahal Hill, on several occasions, had called out Alex Pereira to throw hands at 205 as well.

Alex is more than likely to move up a weight class, but getting a direct title shot might seem unfair to other fighters. However, Alex still has the revenge storyline, so the chances of his next fight happening with Jamahal Hill are not that bad. If the fight does not take place, a win over any top 5 fighters in the light-heavyweight division guarantees a title shot for Alex Pereira.

Other interesting matchups for Alex Pereira

#1. Robert Whittaker

Alex Pereira might be potentially moving to the light heavyweight division, but there’s also a good possibility that he will come for that rematch. With Israel shutting down any hopes of a rematch, fighting Robert Whittaker is the only way Alex gets the Adesanya rematch. Robert Whittaker has announced his desire to fight Pereira regardless of his huge frame. Whittaker believes that his wrestling will play a key role in the fight if it ever goes down.

#2. Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev, on many occasions, has called out Alex Pereira for a fight. With Dana White declaring Khamzat will be fighting a top 3 middleweight next, Pereira seems to fit the role. Alex Pereira has also accused Khamzat of running away from a fight with him at 205. So if this fight was ever to happen, it could go down at either middleweight or light heavyweight.

#3. Jiri Prochazka

Jiri Prochazka vacated his light heavyweight title in 2022 due to his injury. With Jiri back in the game and Alex moving up a division a fight between the two powerhouses is imminent. Jiri Prochazka was also one of the fighters that defeated Pereira’s coach Glover Teixeira to become a light heavyweight champion.

#4. Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev’s last match against Jan Blachowiz at UFC 282 ended in a draw. With fans and even Jan himself believing Magomed won the fight, his next fight could be for the title. However, a fight between the two cannot be ruled out with a fighter like Pereira entering the division. A fight with Ankalaev will certainly benefit Pereira, as he is the number 2 light-heavyweight in the division.

In case you missed :

• Why does Israel Adesanya hate Monster Energy?
• “It’s done,” Israel Adesanya closes the Alex Pereira ‘chapter’ after finishing him at UFC 287