The world of mixed martial arts was expecting several interesting matchups for Alex Pereira ahead of his bout against Magomed Ankalaev. Jon Jones even claimed that he would vacate his heavyweight championship belt if he had to, in order to fight ‘Poatan’. On the other hand, Oleksandr Usyk seemed to have developed a desire to box the Brazilian. But fate seemed to have a different plan, and UFC 313 witnessed Ankalaev defeating Pereira via a unanimous decision, and shattered all those hopes. Let’s take a look at what the former light heavyweight champion had planned in case of a victory over Ankalaev.

On 26 March 2025, Pereira appeared on the set of The Ariel Helwani Show. Therein, the light heavyweight contender and the MMA reporter talked about his last bout. During the conversation, Helwani pointed out at the talks of ‘Poatan’ possibly getting a fight against Usyk or Jones if he won. But what did the man with the hands of stone have on his mind? Through his translator, Pereira replied, “Maybe defend the belt. But if I could go in like after that choose, not my weight class. It’d be either fight for the heavyweight in the UFC, or fight Usyl for boxing.” 

But such decisions were always confirmed by the big guns of the fight promotions. Naturally, Helwani wondered if there were any discussions regarding the superfights. But Pereira uttered, “No. Nothing,” He confirmed that he had no talks with the higher-ups regarding a match with Jones, Aspinall, or Usyk. Pereira’s translator then conveyed a message from the former champion. He said, “The reasonable following step would be his weight class to defend. But if it was his choice, he would not have defend the belt after this fight. He would have went to the heavyweight in the UFC, or for the boxing. He wanted to move up.” But it wasn’t for any heavyweight fight. The man with the hands of stone wanted a superfight, possibly for the UFC heavyweight championship belt. But alas! Losing the fight against Ankalaev ensured that these dreams didn’t materialize. 

Prior to the bout at UFC 313, Alex Pereira had a conversation with the New York Post Sports, where he revealed his desire to enter the squared rings. And when he stumbled across the news of Dana White entering the realm of boxing, Pereira simply couldn’t hold his happiness in. Let’s take a look at what the former LHW champion felt when he got to know about TKO Boxing. And yes, it had something to do with Usyk. 

Alex Pereira had the timeline and venue planned to fight Oleksandr Usyk

During the UFC 313 media day, Pereira weighed in on his feelings when he got to know about White and Sheikh Turki Alalshikh’s venture to bring the TKO Group into the boxing realm. It was indeed a plan made to save the sport. But ‘Poatan’ seemed to have plans of his own. Talking to the media, he said, “I jumped for joy when I saw the news of the creation of a boxing league. Usyk? September, Saudi Arabia… Who knows? I was the first to show interest in that fight. And now we have to see the interest of the UFC. I’ll be ready for it.”

On the other hand, the undefeated Ukrainian heavyweight boxer was likely waiting for such an opportunity. The world heavyweight champion was open to an exhibition fight against the Brazilian. Talking to Boxing on TNT Sports, he said, “Maybe… Why not? Alex wants it.” Now, things seem to have changed for both of them. 

Periera is in the conversation regarding a rematch against the Russian light heavyweight champion. Meanwhile, the WBO ordered Oleksandr Usyk to lock horns with Joseph Parker in his next fight. Had ‘Poatan’ managed to claim a win over Ankalaev, we would definitely have watched him go to the heavyweight division and get a shot against the champion. But now, all we can do is wait and watch the story unfold. 

What are your thoughts about the matchup between Usyk and Pereira? Do you think ‘Poatan’ can manage to defeat a boxer with 23 wins and no defeats? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.