Alex Pereira’s rise to stardom in the UFC reached new heights at UFC 320, where the Brazilian powerhouse reclaimed his Light Heavyweight Championship with a spectacular knockout victory over Magomed Ankalaev. The electrifying finish, which came in just 90 seconds, has once again cemented Pereira’s reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport — and he already has his eyes set on even bigger challenges.
Alex Pereira’s swift revenge and viral triumph
In front of a roaring crowd at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) delivered a flawless performance to avenge his previous bout with Ankalaev (21-2-1 MMA, 12-2-1, 1 NC UFC). The knockout win sent shockwaves through the MMA world, quickly surpassing six million views on UFC’s YouTube channel within hours of the fight.
While most fighters might take time to celebrate after reclaiming gold, Alex Pereira was already looking ahead to what could be the most daring move of his career.
“I want to have a bigger challenge at heavyweight, and that’s basically it,” Pereira said via translation.
Eyes on heavyweight glory
Alex Pereira’s ambitions don’t stop at dominating the light heavyweight division. The two-division champion, who previously held the UFC Middleweight title, is now hinting at a potential move to heavyweight — a leap that few fighters have managed successfully.
His intentions were clear when he and his team reportedly discussed the idea with UFC CEO Dana White before the fight. However, White wasn’t quick to endorse the plan.
“They were telling me, ‘We wanna fight at heavyweight.’ I said, ‘How about we win tonight? Focus on tonight, and then we can talk about heavyweight,’” White revealed. “I don’t know. There are still fights here in this division, but we’ll see.”
White also hinted that upcoming “Tuesday conversations” with matchmakers would determine Pereira’s next move, suggesting that while the heavyweight dream is intriguing, there’s still plenty left for the Brazilian star to accomplish at 205 pounds.
What’s next for “Poatan”?
Alex Pereira’s resurgence at light heavyweight is already generating major buzz for the UFC, both competitively and commercially. Known for his precision, power, and calm demeanor inside the Octagon, Pereira continues to redefine what’s possible for a late-career fighter approaching 40.
The Brazilian has now claimed titles in two divisions, defeating a string of elite opponents and former champions along the way. And if his ambitions come to fruition, he could join an exclusive list of fighters who’ve successfully competed across multiple weight classes.