Undisputed gentle heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira is reportedly not within the operating to make a heavyweight transfer as quickly as UFC 313 in March — in opposition to Russian contender, Alexander Volkov, with the Brazilian as a substitute at present anticipated to tackle arch-rival, Magomed Ankalaev.
Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight kingpin and the present gentle heavyweight gold holder, has been sidelined since October of final 12 months, handing over a fourth spherical knockout win over Khalil Rountree in the principle occasion of UFC 307 in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Nonetheless, in a single day, studies emerged in a single day detailing how Pereira was working towards a quickfire heavyweight debut at UFC 313 in a return to motion in March — with a title-eliminator in opposition to perennial contender, Volkov recognized for the Sao Paulo native,
Alex Pereira nonetheless anticipated to battle Magomed Ankalaev subsequent
Moreover, studies from Ariel Helwani for Uncrowned confirmed that Pereira was as a substitute anticipated to lastly settle his rivalry with Ankalaev within the rapid future, somewhat than tackle Moscow striker, Volkov.
“Alex Pereira’s subsequent opponent will probably be Magomed Ankalaev, per sources,” Helwani posted on X. “That’s the plan. No plans of him transferring to heavyweight any time quickly. Actually, per his staff, he’ll want a minimum of six months to maneuver up the best way they need him to.”
Having fun with a shocking run all through final 12 months, former two-weight champion, Pereira turned in a devastating first spherical knockout win over former champion, Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 in a large headliner in April.
And changing former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor at UFC 303 throughout Worldwide Battle Week amid an damage for the Dubliner, Pereira stopped two-fight rival and one other former gold holder, Jiri Prochazka, felling the Czech Republic striker with a shocking second spherical high-kick knockout in Las Vegas.
