Alex Pereira, the UFC’s current light heavyweight champion, is set to return to the octagon soon—and fans couldn’t be more excited. Known for his powerful strikes and fearless attitude, Pereira has become one of the most talked-about fighters in mixed martial arts. Now, the MMA world is buzzing with talk about who he will face next, when the fight will happen, and what’s at stake.
Here’s everything we know so far about Alex Pereira’s next fight.
Before jumping into the future, it’s important to understand where Pereira came from. Born in Brazil, Alex “Poatan” Pereira started out as a world-class kickboxer. He quickly rose through the ranks, even defeating Israel Adesanya twice in the kickboxing world.
Eventually, Pereira made the move to MMA and joined the UFC in 2021. It didn’t take long for him to make his mark. In only his fourth UFC fight, Pereira shocked the world by defeating Adesanya again—this time for the middleweight title at UFC 281 in November 2022.
Although he later lost that belt in a rematch, Pereira quickly bounced back by moving up to the light heavyweight division. At UFC 295 in November 2023, he won the vacant light heavyweight title by knocking out Jiří Procházka. That win made him a two-division champion in record time.
As of now, UFC officials haven’t confirmed a date for Pereira’s next fight. However, UFC President Dana White has hinted that Pereira will return during the summer of 2025—possibly in July or August.
Sources close to the UFC say that the company wants Pereira to headline a pay-per-view card. With his exciting style and growing fan base, it makes sense. A summer main event featuring Pereira would draw big attention from both casual fans and hardcore fight lovers.
If he does fight in July, it could be part of the UFC’s annual International Fight Week in Las Vegas, one of the biggest events on the UFC calendar.
This is the question on everyone’s mind. There are several possible opponents for Pereira’s next fight, and each would bring its own storyline and challenges. Let’s look at the top names being discussed:
Jamahal Hill is the former light heavyweight champion who had to vacate his title due to injury. He never lost the belt in a fight, which makes many believe he deserves a shot to win it back.
Hill has said publicly that he wants to fight Pereira next. He’s known for his striking skills and toughness, which would make a matchup with Pereira a guaranteed fireworks show.
This fight has strong chances of being booked soon. It makes sense from both a rankings and a business point of view.
Another top contender in the division is Magomed Ankalaev. He’s a tough Russian fighter with a strong background in wrestling and sambo. Ankalaev came close to winning the title in 2022 but ended up in a draw with Jan Błachowicz.
While Ankalaev isn’t the most exciting fighter in terms of style, he’s one of the most dangerous. His grappling could present problems for Pereira, who is mainly a striker.
The UFC might make this fight if they want to test Pereira against someone with strong wrestling.
This one might sound crazy—but it’s not impossible.
Adesanya and Pereira have one of the most intense rivalries in combat sports. They’ve fought four times across kickboxing and MMA, each winning two times. A fifth fight would settle the score once and for all.
Even though Adesanya is in the middleweight division, he’s talked about moving up again. A superfight with Pereira at 205 pounds could be a massive seller.
If the UFC wants a blockbuster event, this could be the way to go.
What’s at Stake for Pereira?
Pereira is already a UFC champion, but every fight from now on builds on his legacy. He’s still new to MMA compared to other fighters, but he’s already accomplished so much.
A win in his next fight would:
However, a loss could hurt his momentum. Since he’s only been in MMA for a short time, questions remain about his grappling defense and ability to handle elite wrestlers. Whoever faces Pereira next will likely try to test him in those areas.
How Pereira Is Preparing
Training for someone like Pereira is not just about hitting pads. It’s a mix of strength, speed, fight IQ, and adapting to different styles.
He trains at Teixeira MMA & Fitness, run by former UFC light heavyweight champ Glover Teixeira. The two are close friends, and Teixeira’s experience has helped Pereira adjust to the UFC world. Their partnership has proven effective, with Teixeira guiding Pereira through both his middleweight and light heavyweight title wins.
Pereira has also been working hard on his takedown defense and ground game. If he can continue improving in those areas, he could remain champion for a long time.
What Fans Are Saying
Fans are eagerly waiting for the UFC to announce Pereira’s next fight. On social media, his followers constantly tag the UFC, asking for updates.
Some fans want to see him fight Hill next because of the striking battle it would bring. Others want a fresh test like Ankalaev. And then there are those who dream of one more Pereira vs. Adesanya showdown.
No matter who it is, fans know one thing for sure: Pereira will bring action.
Final Thoughts
Alex Pereira has quickly become one of the biggest names in the UFC. He’s a knockout artist with a killer mindset, and his next fight is one of the most highly anticipated events in the MMA world.
Whether he faces Jamahal Hill, Magomed Ankalaev, or even Israel Adesanya again, fans can expect fireworks. Pereira is the type of fighter who doesn’t play it safe. He comes to fight—and more often than not, to finish.
As we wait for an official announcement, one thing is clear: the next time Alex Pereira steps into the cage, the world will be watching.
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