Outside Source
Fans of “Poatan” early await his next challenge, after reclaiming the light heavyweight throne in October 2025. Pereira exacted revenge on Russia’s Magomed Ankalaev, knocking him out in 80 seconds to avenge a defeat suffered months earlier. This made the former kickboxer the third man to hold the 205-pound title twice, joining Randy Couture and Jon Jones on that illustrious list.
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While Pereira recovers from an apparent foot injury sustained in the Ankalaev rematch, the UFC has lined up a likely title eliminator in the form of Carlos Ulberg against Jiri Prochazka. Other potential foes include newly minted middleweight king Khamzat Chimaev, who has threatened to move up in weight, as well as a possible “Poatan” move to heavyweight to try to make major MMA history as a champ in three divisions.
A third option, and the one that he and his camp have pushed for the most, is a heavyweight encounter with Jones. Speaking with Sherdog, Pereira’s manager, Ed Soares, feels that of all the options on the table, a battle against Jones is one that would best cement his athlete’s all-time great status.
“Obviously, having a chance at a third belt would be something very special and important for him, but Jon Jones is the fight we want. It would be a legacy fight,” the manager and Legacy Fighting Alliance CEO argued.
In terms of simply keeping the light heavyweight division moving and taking on a new test, Pereira’s team suggest that Ulberg would make the most sense. However, there is one bout in particular that they have turned their noses at: Chimaev.
“What do you mean,” Soares asked when Chimaev’s name was raised as a possible adversary. “Chimaev just won the middleweight title and hasn’t even defended it yet. Look at everything ‘Poatan’ has done in recent years, it wouldn’t make any sense.”
Heavyweight kingpin Tom Aspinall still requires some recovery time after multiple surgeries from his eye pokes from Ciryl Gane, so an interim heavyweight title has been floated. Soares does not think that is a decent option either, and has another bout in mind should that come to fruition.
“If it’s going to be an interim title fight with Gane, they should call Volkov, who beat him in the first fight,” Soares pitched.
’Pitbull’ in April, Pantoja in June
Soares is not solely the manager of Pereira, and has a stable of athletes under his umbrella including the aforementioned Volkov. Both Patricio Freire and Alexandre Pantoja remain members of his flock, and he opted to reveal a bit of information on both.
When it comes to “Pitbull,” Soares claimed that the former Bellator MMA great is in advanced negotiations to return to the Octagon in April, but could not reveal the prospective foe or at which event Freire would return. However, he did have a clearer picture for ex-flyweight champ Pantoja, which would be a rematch with Joshua Van this summer.
“There were no fractures or ligament injuries [sustained by Pantoja],” Soares reiterated. “I believe that in June, it could be a little before or a little after, Pantoja will already be having the rematch and regaining his belt.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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