Home
Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is on the brink of etching his name into MMA folklore. At UFC 313 in Las Vegas, “Poatan” isn’t just defending his title against the formidable Magomed Ankalaev—he’s chasing a slice of history held by Jon Jones, arguably the sport’s greatest ever. Ankalaev, riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak, poses a colossal threat with his wrestling pedigree and knockout power.
Yet, as anticipation builds, a tantalizing stat emerges: if Pereira triumphs, he’ll eclipse one of Jones’ most iconic benchmarks. What’s at stake? Let’s break it down.
The race to light heavyweight supremacy
Jon Jones’ legacy as a two-division UFC legend is anchored by his dominance at 205 pounds. Between 2011 and 2012, “Bones” defended the light heavyweight title four times in 364 days—a record that’s stood unchallenged for over a decade. Now, Pereira has a chance to shatter it. A win at UFC 313 would mark his fourth title defense in just 329 days, surpassing Jones’ pace by over a month.
Alex Pereira’s blistering reign began at UFC 295, where he seized the vacant belt by knocking out Jiří Procházka. He then dismantled Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, avenged Procházka in a rematch at UFC 303, and staged a dramatic comeback against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. Each victory showcased his lethal striking and unshakable composure. Jones, meanwhile, cemented his legacy with wins over Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, and Vitor Belfort—all Hall of Fame-caliber foes.
The Ankalaev Problem
Magomed Ankalaev, however, isn’t just another challenger. The Dagestani mauler boasts a 13-fight unbeaten run, blending suffocating grappling with precision striking. His recent dismantling of Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308 proved he’s a nightmare matchup for Pereira. “Poatan” thrives in stand-up wars, but Ankalaev’s ability to dictate where the fight goes could neutralize his kickboxing brilliance.
Jon Jones himself never faced a test like Ankalaev during his record-setting run. The Russian’s discipline and durability make him a unique hurdle—one Alex Pereira must clear to cement his own legacy.
Beyond UFC 313
A Pereira victory wouldn’t just rewrite history; it could set the stage for a superfight with Jones. The heavyweight champ has openly flirted with the idea, teasing fans after his UFC 309 win. While Jones’ focus remains on defending his heavyweight crown, a clash with Pereira—a fellow two-division threat—would be a blockbuster.
For now, though, Alex Pereira’s sights are locked on Magomed Ankalaev. “This is my time,” he recently declared. “Legends aren’t made by avoiding challenges.” If he overcomes this one, the Jon Jones chapter of the record books might just get a new co-author.
ADVERTISEMENT
