Breaking Down the Possibilities for Alex Pereira's Next Fight (original) (raw)
The Alex Pereira next fight news is not likely to be announced anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate just who the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion could step inside the Octagon against next.
Who will Alex Pereira next fight be against?
A three-fight calendar year already has left Pereira with the likely claim of fighter of the year. And with his sights possibly set on a move to heavyweight, we could be waiting a while to see who is next. For now, let us speculate including a super-fight vs. Jon Jones, top contender Magomed Ankalaev and former champion Jamahal Hill.
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- Bones: The reigning heavyweight champion has a date set with Stipe Miocic and has mentioned retirement, but could we see him receive the challenge of the man holding his former title?
- Ankalaev: The Russian has not lost since his Octagon debut in 2018, reeling off six finishes during this run.
- Sweet Dreams: Hill was finished by Pereira for the belt in April but that came in his return following an injury.
Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. recap
Many thought Pereira would walk right through Rountree, but the top contender presented a challenge. Pereira did mention several key injuries he suffered in preparing for the bout, which might have led to it taking until the fourth.
Still, the reigning champion flex his might when he needed to. The finish marked his 10th knockout win among 12 bouts, including four straight. It was the first time since winning gold vs. Israel Adesanya back in 2022 that he saw the fourth round.
Among the elite: When you can claim being a champion in the UFC in multiple weight classes, you have positioned yourself on an elite list of athletes. To also secure a successful title defenses now, Pereira has shown his staying power.
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What makes Alex Pereira so popular?
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jamahal Hill (not pictured) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Throughout his 52-fight combat sports career, Pereira has made a habit out of finishing his opponent. He owns 21 knockouts in kickboxing, seven in mixed martial arts, and one in his lone boxing bout.
- Alex Pereira Record: 12-2
- Alex Pereira height: 6-foot-4
- Alex Pereira stats: The man known as “Poatan” has recorded seven of his nine wins by knockout inside the cage.
- Before becoming a two-division UFC champion, Pereira was a two-division Glory champion, winning gold at light heavyweight and middleweight.
- He was inducted into the Glory Hall of Fame in 2023 and also won the WGP Kickboxing Middleweight title in 2015.
- Pereira captured the UFC middleweight championship in 2022 when he finished Israel Adesanya. He lost the belt in the rematch and won the vacant light heavyweight title in November with a second-round TKO over Jiri Prochazka.
- During their kickboxing days, Pereira picked up a pair of victories over Adesanya in 2016 and 2017. He made his lone boxing appearance in 2017 and scored a third-round TKO.
- After dropping his MMA debut in 2015, Pereira reeled off seven consecutive wins, including a 2022 finish of former UFC champion Sean Strickland at UFC 276.
Alex Pereira’s net worth
Money is often one of the greatest measuring sticks for a fighter’s success. As of 2024, Pereira’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million.