Alex Pereira is wanting ahead to his first title protection of 2024.
After a monstrous 2024 that noticed him bag huge highlight-reel knockouts over Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree, ‘Poatan’ is planning to go even larger in 2025.
Initially, all indicators pointed towards Pereira placing his gentle heavyweight title on the road towards top-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev within the first quarter of the 12 months. Nonetheless, that will now not be the case in keeping with the ‘Brazilian Boogeyman.’
Not too long ago, Pereira posted a clip from his fourth-round end of ‘The War Horse’ at UFC 307. Curiously, within the caption, he wrote, “It won’t be Ankalaev!” accompanied by a cry laughing emoji on Instagram.
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It’s attainable that Pereira might be trolling Ankalaev, one thing he’s been identified to do on social media on occasion.
Then again, Pereira’s phrases might be 100% legit contemplating his focused return is in March 2025, smack dab in the midst of Ramadan — a holy month within the Islamic calendar that Ankalaev observes yearly.
If not magomed ankalaev, then who’s subsequent for alex pereira?
Sadly, there are few different choices for Pereira at 205. He’s already ran by everybody within the gentle heavyweight prime 5 apart from Aleksandar Rakic and it’s unlikely ‘Rocket’ would get the nod after arising quick in his final three outings.
Carlos Ulberg already has a bout booked for March towards ex-champion Jan Blachowicz.
That simply leaves Nikita Krylov, the No. 8 ranked contender within the division.
Krylov is sitting on a three-fight win streak with finishes towards Alexander Gustafsson and Ryan Spann, making him probably the most viable title challenger outdoors of Ankalaev. Although most struggle followers would in all probability agree that ‘The Miner’ nonetheless has some work to do earlier than the UFC may justify giving him a title alternative.
