Who Should Alex Pereira Fight Next?

Thirty-seven-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira currently competes in the UFC light heavyweight division. He’s the former champ of that class as well as the middleweight division (a UFC first). As of this early-May writing, he is 12-3 in UFC fights but lost his light heavyweight belt to Magomed Ankalaev (unanimous decision) at UFC 313 in March. 

It was his first defeat as a ‘light heavy.’ Pereira, a former kickboxer, is one of the marquee names in the sport, competing in UFC since 2021. 

Recent social media accounts attributed to Pereira claimed he was ‘disheartened’ with UFC and threatened to retire. He then said his account was hacked, and the speculation is that a rematch with the Russian will be Alex Pereira’s next fight. 

“I have a great relationship with the UFC,” he said. 

Here’s a bit of a primer on Alex Pereira and the UFC…

What Cities Will the UFC Be In 2025?

If you’re looking down the road at the immediate 2025 UFC schedule, UFC 316 is returning stateside June 7th at the Prudential Center (Newark, N.J.). UFC 317 goes back to Las Vegas (June 28th), then it’s off to the Big Easy as New Orleans hosts UFC 318 (July 19th). 

Will Alex Pereira Retire?

As was mentioned, Alex Pereira’s record is 12-3, having lost his light heavyweight title (via unanimous decision) to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March. He had won his previous five bouts, defeating Jan Blachowicz, Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, Prochazka again, and Khalil Rountree Jr. while thrice defending his title. Pereira hasn’t shied from his workload, often as a quick-turnaround headliner when a UFC card was in need of one. 

There’s been chatter (which may or may not have been attributed to him) about retirement (though Pereira has fought three times in the past 11 months), while he remains one of the biggest draws in the sport. UFC CEO Dana White has not announced any future Pereira fights.

Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on UFC Betting Odds?

Indeed, with a quick look at the BetUS site, I found countless UFC odds. Winners (and length) of individual bouts (with method of victory), along with any number of future wagers, are available. Figure any UFC numbered card or ‘Fight Night’ to have odds and props associated with it.

As was mentioned, in the days leading to UFC 315 at Bell Centre in Montreal, Belal Muhammad is a 5-9 (-180) favorite to retain his welterweight title in the main event against the 3-2 (+150) underdog Jack Della Maddalena. Remember that all odds are fluid, so do some homework and check the board before you wager.

Any Final Thoughts?

Anyone who pays even marginal attention to mixed martial arts has a passing interest in Alex Pereira’s next fight. Whether his being ‘disheartened’ with UFC was actually his thoughts or a hack (as he claimed, with current ‘light heavy’ champ Magomed Ankalaev saying he’s the culprit), the Pereira saga (in the days before UFC 315) is one of the bigger storylines out there.