Alex Pereira
Poatan
Brazil
Drops 205-pound title in Vegas
Pereira lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Magomed Ankalaev via unanimous decision (47-48, 46-49, 47-48) at UFC 313 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a close, competitive fight, and there's at least a case to be made that Pereira deserved to win. He landed plenty of his trademark low kicks and stuffed all 12 of Ankalaev's takedown attempts, but when push came to shove, Alex simply wasn't aggressive enough on the feet. We're used to him stalking his prey in hopes of damaging them with power shots. We didn't see any of that here. Sure, he landed a few big blows here and there, but Ankalaev was primarily the one pushing forward. Alex also found himself getting controlled on the fence for long stretches at a time -- a terrible visual for the judges. All in all, this feels like the correct decision. It was Pereira's first loss since April 2023, a knockout at the hands of Israel Adesanya. "Poatan" will be back.
It was a close, competitive fight, and there's at least a case to be made that Pereira deserved to win. He landed plenty of his trademark low kicks and stuffed all 12 of Ankalaev's takedown attempts, but when push came to shove, Alex simply wasn't aggressive enough on the feet. We're used to him stalking his prey in hopes of damaging them with power shots. We didn't see any of that here. Sure, he landed a few big blows here and there, but Ankalaev was primarily the one pushing forward. Alex also found himself getting controlled on the fence for long stretches at a time -- a terrible visual for the judges. All in all, this feels like the correct decision. It was Pereira's first loss since April 2023, a knockout at the hands of Israel Adesanya. "Poatan" will be back.
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To defend title at UFC 313
Pereira will defend his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Magomed Ankalaevat UFC 313 on March 8, per the UFC 311 broadcast.
ANALYSIS
It will be the fourth title defense at light heavyweight for the always-active Pereira, and it will come against the only opponent who truly makes sense. Ankalaev is without a loss in the UFC since his 2018 debut, picking up 11 victories over that span (although there was a draw and a no-contest in there). While Pereira's recent comments suggested Ankalaev wasn't worthy, and there's always been rumors of a move up to heavyweight, the UFC ultimately got the right deal done. As is usually the case, Pereira should be leagues ahead of this opponent in the stand-up game, though Anklaev does offer a uniquely-skilled grappling attack that will put Pereira's 70 percent takedown defense to the test. Pereira will still enter as the betting favorite, however, as nobody has yet been able to hold him down long enough to put his dangerous striking in check.
It will be the fourth title defense at light heavyweight for the always-active Pereira, and it will come against the only opponent who truly makes sense. Ankalaev is without a loss in the UFC since his 2018 debut, picking up 11 victories over that span (although there was a draw and a no-contest in there). While Pereira's recent comments suggested Ankalaev wasn't worthy, and there's always been rumors of a move up to heavyweight, the UFC ultimately got the right deal done. As is usually the case, Pereira should be leagues ahead of this opponent in the stand-up game, though Anklaev does offer a uniquely-skilled grappling attack that will put Pereira's 70 percent takedown defense to the test. Pereira will still enter as the betting favorite, however, as nobody has yet been able to hold him down long enough to put his dangerous striking in check.
Another successful title defense
Pereira successfully defend the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Khalil Rountree via TKO (punches) at 4:32 of Round 4 at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City.
ANALYSIS
It's Pereira's third successful defense of the 205-pound title in the past seven months. It was a rout by the time it was over, but Alex may have very well been down 20-18 on the scorecards after two rounds. Yet, as is always the case, Pereira was never overwhelmed by the moment and went about his business. He landed leg kicks that hobbled the challenger and piled up the power shots as the fight progressed. In Round 4 he unloaded everything -- including the kitchen sink -- on Rountree. Khalil ate most of it before referee Marc Goddard finally pulled the plug late in the frame. Despite the dominant finish, the largely back-and-forth affair would go on to earn both fighters a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. Pereira is already one of the best fighters in the history of the sport despite having all of 10 UFC fights under his belt. We are watching greatness every single time he steps into the Octagon. Enjoy it.
It's Pereira's third successful defense of the 205-pound title in the past seven months. It was a rout by the time it was over, but Alex may have very well been down 20-18 on the scorecards after two rounds. Yet, as is always the case, Pereira was never overwhelmed by the moment and went about his business. He landed leg kicks that hobbled the challenger and piled up the power shots as the fight progressed. In Round 4 he unloaded everything -- including the kitchen sink -- on Rountree. Khalil ate most of it before referee Marc Goddard finally pulled the plug late in the frame. Despite the dominant finish, the largely back-and-forth affair would go on to earn both fighters a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. Pereira is already one of the best fighters in the history of the sport despite having all of 10 UFC fights under his belt. We are watching greatness every single time he steps into the Octagon. Enjoy it.
Rountree to challenge next
Pereira will defend the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, according to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
Pereira's third defense of the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is scheduled against someone relatively low in the division's rankings but coming off extremely positive momentum with a five-fight win streak. However, it is worth noting that all five of Pereira's last wins are against former UFC champions, and he may not have a problem disposing of a relatively unproven light heavyweight challenger. Pereira stepped up again huge during his last fight, a second-round knockout to Jiri Prochazka.
Pereira's third defense of the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is scheduled against someone relatively low in the division's rankings but coming off extremely positive momentum with a five-fight win streak. However, it is worth noting that all five of Pereira's last wins are against former UFC champions, and he may not have a problem disposing of a relatively unproven light heavyweight challenger. Pereira stepped up again huge during his last fight, a second-round knockout to Jiri Prochazka.
Retains title with ease
Pereira successfully defended the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Jiri Prochazka via TKO (strikes) at 0:19 of Round 2 at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
We say it seemingly every time Pereira fights, but this guy is truly terrifying. He continues to roll through some of the very best opponents in the world despite the fact he has all of 13 professional fights under his belt. He and Prochazka fought to relatively even terms before Alex dropped his opponent at the very end of Round 1. Jiri recovered and came out for Round 2, at which point Pereira immediately greeted him with a head kick that turned his lights out. A few follow-up shots later, and it was all over. The finish would go on to earn him one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening. The Brazilian appears to be getting better despite the fact he will be turning 37 years of age in a little over a week. Pereira is now 8-1 in the UFC. Included in that stretch are wins over Prochazka (twice), Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, Jan Blachowicz and Jamahal Hill -- all former UFC champions. Pereira is doing things we have never seen before in this sport and he's doing it in multiple divisions. Truly unbelievable.
We say it seemingly every time Pereira fights, but this guy is truly terrifying. He continues to roll through some of the very best opponents in the world despite the fact he has all of 13 professional fights under his belt. He and Prochazka fought to relatively even terms before Alex dropped his opponent at the very end of Round 1. Jiri recovered and came out for Round 2, at which point Pereira immediately greeted him with a head kick that turned his lights out. A few follow-up shots later, and it was all over. The finish would go on to earn him one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening. The Brazilian appears to be getting better despite the fact he will be turning 37 years of age in a little over a week. Pereira is now 8-1 in the UFC. Included in that stretch are wins over Prochazka (twice), Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, Jan Blachowicz and Jamahal Hill -- all former UFC champions. Pereira is doing things we have never seen before in this sport and he's doing it in multiple divisions. Truly unbelievable.
Title fight in UFC 303
Pereira will defend the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas, per UFC President Dana White.
ANALYSIS
A marquee fight was definitely wanted and likely needed for UFC 303 after the event's initial headliner, Conor McGregor against Michael Chandler, was canceled because of the former having an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, it was only a matter of time before Pereira and Prochazka rematched for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, with all parties willing to resolve said circumstance in just a little over two weeks. Since they last fought, when Pereira won via second-round TKO at Madison Square Garden, he has also defeated Jamahal Hill with a knockout in under four minutes.
A marquee fight was definitely wanted and likely needed for UFC 303 after the event's initial headliner, Conor McGregor against Michael Chandler, was canceled because of the former having an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, it was only a matter of time before Pereira and Prochazka rematched for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, with all parties willing to resolve said circumstance in just a little over two weeks. Since they last fought, when Pereira won via second-round TKO at Madison Square Garden, he has also defeated Jamahal Hill with a knockout in under four minutes.