Latest news with #MagomedAnkalaev
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alex Pereira Has a Clear Answer on a Potential Heavyweight Move
Alex Pereira Has a Clear Answer on a Potential Heavyweight Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Once a dominant force in the light heavyweight division, Alex Pereira's momentum was halted at UFC 313. Riding a five-fight win streak and looking like a man possessed, the former champion collided with Magomed Ankalaev in a brutal chess match that ended with Pereira losing his belt. Now, the question hanging in the air: is 'Poatan' planning to take his power up to Heavyweight? Advertisement After the loss, Pereira didn't rush back into the spotlight. Instead, he embraced a much-needed reset—time off that may have been as tactical as it was personal. In a recent interview with MMAFightingSBN, the Brazilian powerhouse pulled back the curtain on where his head's at—and what his body's doing. Alex PereiraGetty Images One detail stood out: he recently weighed in at a massive 240 pounds—and when asked directly whether that meant a move to heavyweight was in the cards, the speculation reached a boiling point. That number alone sparked heavy whispers about a move up, especially with Jon Jones still stuck on the sidelines. When asked about the current state of the division and the possibility of Jones being stripped, Pereira didn't hold back: 'Let those guys kill each other in that [heavyweight] class. Right now I'm just focusing on light heavyweight.' 'My focus right now is fighting Ankalaev, get my belt back, and then we see what happens next.' Advertisement When asked about a return date, Pereira made it clear he's ready whenever: 'September... October makes no difference—I want to fight.' Despite all the heavyweight chatter, Pereira sounds like a man on a mission—one with unfinished business at 205. A rematch with Ankalaev isn't just about redemption; it's about restoring what he believes is rightfully his. And here's where things get interesting: the UFC doesn't have a pay-per-view scheduled for September. But with two PPVs planned for October, Pereira may be circling a date—and his shot at gold—sooner than we think. Related: Jon Jones Responds to Dana White's Deadline with Blunt Update Related: UFC Signs Former PFL Heavyweight Champion in Strategic Roster Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alex Pereira: Focus on Magomed Ankalaev rematch, not heavyweight move
NEW YORK—Fans clamoring for Alex Pereira to move to heavyweight are going to have to wait a bit longer. Pereira dropped the UFC light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 in March. With the heavyweight division up in the air, Jon Jones saying multiple times he's not interested in fighting right now, and interim champ Tom Aspinall looking for an opponent, 'Poatan' would be a popular choice to flip one of the UFC's thinner divisions upside down. Advertisement That time is not now, however, as Pereira has his sights set on a fall return to avenge his loss to Ankalaev. 'Anywhere around the timeframe [of] September, October, November, for me it makes no difference, I want to fight,' Pereira told MMA Fighting at Fanatics Fest. 'My focus right now is fighting Ankalaev... get my belt back, and then we see what happens after.' Pereira has accomplished so much in so little time that the opportunity to win a third divisional title seems like a reasonable goal and request. Right now, Pereira hopes the heavyweight division can get moving again in an entertaining way, but he has his own boxes to check. Advertisement 'Let those guys kill each other in that weight class,' Pereira said. 'Right now I'm just focusing on light heavyweight.' More from
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Manager: Magomed Ankalaev will wait for Alex Pereira title rematch, but not forever
Manager: Magomed Ankalaev will wait for Alex Pereira title rematch, but not forever Show Caption Hide Caption Manager Ali Abdelaziz previews UFC 316, gives mass client update Dominance MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz talks to MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn about Islam Makhachev, Movsar Evloev, Magomed Ankalaev and UFC 316 clients Kayla Harrison, Patchy Mix and more. MORRISTOWN, N.J. – UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev wants Alex Pereira to get a title rematch, but there's only so long he will wait. Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) came through as a slight underdog to win the 205-pound title from Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) at UFC 313 in March. Pereira racked up all three of his title defenses in 2024, and since losing the title, appears to want a little time off before making a big return in what is expected to be a rematch for the title. Manager Ali Abdelaziz understands the situation Pereira is in, but his client, Ankalaev, is eager to get back in the cage soon, and doesn't want to wait around forever for "Poatan." "Listen, we got asked to fight International Fight Week, we said yes," Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. "We got asked to fight Alex in August, we said yes. We got asked to fight October. This is what Maga is saying: 'Alex is at every event. He's on vacations, he's doing this – I don't know if he's really going to fight me or he's just having fun.' "He's like, 'I'm killing myself in the gym. I don't know when I'm fighting him. I'm the champion, I feel like I'm the challenger.' And I said if he's not ready, let me get him some of these other guys." Ankalaev, 33, fought in January and October last year before his crowning moment against Pereira. Throughout his career, he has typically made two appearances in a calendar year. Now as champion of the divsion, he's hungry to get back in the octagon to record his first title defense. Abdelaziz says he will be patient, for now. "It's no problem," Abdelaziz said. "I think Alex Pereira earned it, and I think he deserves it. If we have to wait, it's OK. That guy did a lot for the sport, and we respect him, and I think it should be him and Magomed Ankalaev next." While Team Ankalaev will patiently wait for the rematch, there is a cut-off point. If there's nothing on the books by the time UFC is expected to make a return to Abu Dhabi late in October, they will look to move on. "Hundred percent - if it's not Abu Dhabi, he will fight someone else, for sure."
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Former UFC star proposes opponent for Magomed Ankalaev's first title decision amidst Alex Pereira's continued uncertainty
Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. Photo byvia AFP UFC 313 yielded the most unexpected results of all time. Russian fighter Magomed Ankalaev ended Alex Pereira 's five-match winning streak, thereby claiming the light heavyweight title. Even though there were talks of a rematch between the fighters immediately after the bout, the recent string of events associated with Pereira has minimised the possibility of the bout happening anytime soon. In a recent interview, former UFC legend Josh Thompson suggested the name of another fighter who would be a perfect fit for Magomed's next fight. Josh Thomson lists out possible fighters suitable for the title defense, proposes Carlos Ulberg to be best suited for the bout Alex Pereira has recently been involved in a retirement controversy when a now-deleted post was made through the account of the fighter on X. However, the Poatan dismissed such rumors, stating that his account was hacked. This particular statement was interpreted in multiple ways. While many believed what the fighter said, his rival, Magomed Ankalaev, in a sarcastic manner, accepted that he had hacked the account of the Brazilian fighter. However, MMA analysts like Daniel Cormier believed that the account was not hacked and there was some amount of truth in the statement that was made by the fighter. With all these going on, the Russian fighter also revealed a UFC offer that gave the fighter a chance to either step into the Octagon against Pereira or have any other opponent. As Magomed reveals the offer, he also mentions that if the Brazilian fighter doesn't accept the bout offer, he is ready to move on with some other fighter. While nothing has been confirmed as of now, former UFC legend Josh Thompson in a recent episode of Weighing in talks about the potential opponent for Magomed Ankalaev after Alex Pereira in the light heavyweight division. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Islam Is Avoiding Ilia Topuria… says Chael Sonnen | Burns vs Morales REACTION | WEIGHING IN #574 'What you have is Jamahal Hill coming off a loss, Jan Blachowicz coming off a loss, Aleksandar Rakic coming off a loss, Khalil Rountree Jr. coming off a loss. Dominick Reyes is number eight, he's got a win.' The fighter continued, 'You've got Carlos Ulberg, that's it, at number three. You have Jiri, but Jiri can't fight.' Thompson analysed, 'I mean, throw, I would say Ulberg, put him in there, see if Ankalaev will stand with him as well. There's nothing else you can do. I mean, we're looking for that guy to bring an exciting fight to Ankalaev because right now, good luck trying to sell that.' Also read: From MMA to boxing - former UFC light heavyweight fighter secures a stunning knockout win at Fight Music Show 6 Carlos Ulberg is another impressive fighter with an 8-1 UFC record. One of the top contenders for the division, the fighter would be a good choice for Ankalaev's title defense. Only time will tell who the Russian fighter will be facing next if not the Poatan.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'I was hacked' - Pereira denies retirement tweet
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira says his social media was hacked after a tweet hinted at 37, last fought in March when he lost his UFC belt to Magomed Ankalaev, and is currently in talks to fight the Russian a post on Wednesday Pereira said he was "disheartened" with the UFC and was having "thoughts of not fighting any more".Pereira is the UFC's biggest current star and after a few hours of speculation, the Brazilian posted a video from his Instagram account saying it was not a statement made by him."I've received a ton of messages, getting messages from everyone, who saw a post from my Twitter," Pereira said in Portuguese. "I didn't even know about it. I was hacked."It's been a while since I've posted anything - you guys see. But I was hacked and I'll resolve it."I don't even know what's going on. I have a great relationship with UFC. People like to do bad things. That's that."
