Alex Pereira
Poatan
Brazil
Fails in quest to make UFC history
Pereira failed in his quest for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship on Sunday, falling to Ciryl Gane via TKO (punches) at 1:27 of Round 2 at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington DC.
ANALYSIS
It didn't work out, but you have to respect the risk Pereira took. He forfeited the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in a quest to become the first three-division king in company history. Neither man accomplished much in Round 1, although Gane more than doubled up Pereira in significant strikes, 23-11. The roof caved in on Alex in Round 2. He ran face first into a Gane jab, which dropped him. Pereira was never able to recover. He took an absolute beating the rest of the way, much of it the doing of referee Herb Dean, who was unwilling to stop the fight despite the fact Pereira was clearly toast. He eventually had no choice. Alex was asked by Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview if he plans to continue at heavyweight or move back down to 205 pounds. He said he would talk to the UFC before conferring with his team and deciding. Considering how this went, we're guessing he moves down. The only reason a move up made any sense in the first place was to try to win a belt.
It didn't work out, but you have to respect the risk Pereira took. He forfeited the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in a quest to become the first three-division king in company history. Neither man accomplished much in Round 1, although Gane more than doubled up Pereira in significant strikes, 23-11. The roof caved in on Alex in Round 2. He ran face first into a Gane jab, which dropped him. Pereira was never able to recover. He took an absolute beating the rest of the way, much of it the doing of referee Herb Dean, who was unwilling to stop the fight despite the fact Pereira was clearly toast. He eventually had no choice. Alex was asked by Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview if he plans to continue at heavyweight or move back down to 205 pounds. He said he would talk to the UFC before conferring with his team and deciding. Considering how this went, we're guessing he moves down. The only reason a move up made any sense in the first place was to try to win a belt.
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Gets title shot at heavyweight
Pereira will take on Cyril Gane for the Interim Heavyweight Championship at the UFC White House card scheduled for June 14.
ANALYSIS
When we last saw Pereira, he was getting his belt back with a first-round finish over Magomed Ankalaev back in October. He's been sidelined since due to a foot fracture, but with eighth months of recovery time before this historic card, he should be at or near full strength when the cage doors close. When they do, Pereira will be in search of the elusive, active double-champ status. One might think Pereira would be giving up a size advantage at heavyweight, but he's always endured massive weight cuts at middleweight and light heavyweight, so when it's all said and done, he'll be giving up just two inches in reach to Gane, with both men standing at 6-foot-4. Both fighters land more than five significant strikes per minute in the UFC, and neither offers much in terms of wrestling, so look for this to be a stand-up affair as long as it lasts. Gane opened up as the betting favorite offshore, but the line quickly flipped in Pereira's favor, and he sits as a favorite of approximately of approximately (-140) with the fight three months away.
When we last saw Pereira, he was getting his belt back with a first-round finish over Magomed Ankalaev back in October. He's been sidelined since due to a foot fracture, but with eighth months of recovery time before this historic card, he should be at or near full strength when the cage doors close. When they do, Pereira will be in search of the elusive, active double-champ status. One might think Pereira would be giving up a size advantage at heavyweight, but he's always endured massive weight cuts at middleweight and light heavyweight, so when it's all said and done, he'll be giving up just two inches in reach to Gane, with both men standing at 6-foot-4. Both fighters land more than five significant strikes per minute in the UFC, and neither offers much in terms of wrestling, so look for this to be a stand-up affair as long as it lasts. Gane opened up as the betting favorite offshore, but the line quickly flipped in Pereira's favor, and he sits as a favorite of approximately of approximately (-140) with the fight three months away.
Diagnosed with fractured foot
Pereira said Friday that he suffered a left foot fracture during his victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on Saturday, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pereira's latest victory allowed him to reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship; however, he's now expected to be out of commission for the next eight months. That timeline is significant, as it allows the 38-year-old just enough time to recover and prepare for UFC White House on June 13.
Pereira's latest victory allowed him to reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship; however, he's now expected to be out of commission for the next eight months. That timeline is significant, as it allows the 38-year-old just enough time to recover and prepare for UFC White House on June 13.
Dominates to regain UFC gold
Pereira regained the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Magomed Ankalaev via TKO (elbows) at 1:20 of Round 1 at UFC 320 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Ever since he originally dropped his title to Ankalaev in March, Pereira has been telling everyone that would listen that he wasn't in a great spot, either mentally or physically, for their first fight. Not many people believed it. Turns out, he appears to have been telling the truth. After barely touching Ankalaev for 25 minutes the first time around, he got him out of there in 80 seconds here. Alex simply pushed forward the second the opening bell rang, and Magomed had no answer. One huge right hand connected, forcing Ankalaev to try to grab a leg. Pereira simply shrugged him off and ended up in top position. Countless unanswered elbows later, the gold was his once again (as was a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus). The 38-year-old Brazilian is likely looking at a date with either Carlos Ulberg or Jiri Prochazka his next time out. Pereira has already defeated the latter twice, both via knockout, so Ulberg, who defeated Dominick Reyes via KO in last week's main event, would probably be the leader in the clubhouse to be next in line.
Ever since he originally dropped his title to Ankalaev in March, Pereira has been telling everyone that would listen that he wasn't in a great spot, either mentally or physically, for their first fight. Not many people believed it. Turns out, he appears to have been telling the truth. After barely touching Ankalaev for 25 minutes the first time around, he got him out of there in 80 seconds here. Alex simply pushed forward the second the opening bell rang, and Magomed had no answer. One huge right hand connected, forcing Ankalaev to try to grab a leg. Pereira simply shrugged him off and ended up in top position. Countless unanswered elbows later, the gold was his once again (as was a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus). The 38-year-old Brazilian is likely looking at a date with either Carlos Ulberg or Jiri Prochazka his next time out. Pereira has already defeated the latter twice, both via knockout, so Ulberg, who defeated Dominick Reyes via KO in last week's main event, would probably be the leader in the clubhouse to be next in line.
Title rematch booked
Pereira will get a chance to regain his former light heavyweight championship belt against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on Oct. 4, according to UFC President Dana White (via Instagram Live).
ANALYSIS
Well, that appears to be a wrap on rumors of a move to the heavyweight division (for now). Pereira had been attempting to make his fifth title defense against Ankalaev when the two fought last March, but he seemingly couldn't get out of first gear. A dangerous kickboxer by trade, Pereira allowed Ankalaev to get a 94-to-76 edge in significant strikes over the five-round decision. Effectively, Pereira could enter as an underdog here, but you can never discount the heart of a former champion -- especially one with the fight-ending power Pereira possesses.
Well, that appears to be a wrap on rumors of a move to the heavyweight division (for now). Pereira had been attempting to make his fifth title defense against Ankalaev when the two fought last March, but he seemingly couldn't get out of first gear. A dangerous kickboxer by trade, Pereira allowed Ankalaev to get a 94-to-76 edge in significant strikes over the five-round decision. Effectively, Pereira could enter as an underdog here, but you can never discount the heart of a former champion -- especially one with the fight-ending power Pereira possesses.
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.