People just can’t get enough of Alex Pereira, who’s become the new big superstar of the UFC. After saving multiple PPV events time and time again, he’s become one of the biggest draws in the promotion right now. As far as superstars in combat sports go, there will always be talks and discussions about whom he’ll fight next. The rumor that’s swirling now pertains to the fact that Dana White may have something planned for ‘Poatan’ later this year.

Arguably the most active fighter in the UFC right now, Alex Pereira has defeated three of the current top five contenders in the 205-pound division, namely Jan Blachowicz, Jiri Prochazka, and Jamahal Hill, all former champions. Now, the rumor has it that his next title contender could be someone who’s undefeated since late 2018, but it’s not at heavyweight.

No heavyweight move yet for Alex Pereira as October fight rumors gain traction

Alex Pereira’s plan to move to heavyweight seems to be in the backseat for now because he still has business to deal with in the light heavyweight division. It may be compelling to try and capture a third title, and UFC fans are already excited about the prospect of watching ‘Poatan’ be the first to do it, but one 205-pound contender seems to have been waiting for his chance at a title shot for a while now, and that’s Magomed Ankalaev, and rumor claims he’s next for Pereira.

The UFC is returning to Abu Dhabi in August and October. The latter will be for a PPV, UFC 308 to be exact, and according to a post on Reddit, Dana White may schedule Alex Pereira vs Magomomed Ankalaev on that card. This rumor gained momentum after the Russian star recently called for a fight in October during a recent interview.

“I have a valid visa, so if it’s going to be [in the US] that’s one option. I would love it to be in Abu Dhabi, that’s a better place for me,” Magomed Ankalaev told MMA Junkie. However, there might be a small problem with the Russian star’s aspirations because Alex Pereira had already revealed his intentions about not wanting to fight in Abu Dhabi.

Not in Abu Dhabi for ‘Poatan’

Magomedov Ankalaev’s cries for a title fight in Abu Dhabi aren’t new. He’d been asking this for months, but the reigning champion doesn’t seem to care too much about his wishes. We all have become accustomed to Alex Pereira’s ability to step up to fight anyone and fight them anywhere and anytime, even on short notice. But in a surprising response to Ankalaev’s urge for an Abu Dhabi fight, ‘Poatan’ simply rejected that proposal, claiming that he wants it to happen sooner rather than later in 2024.

“I don’t want to fight at the end of the year… If I have to fight there, I will, but if it’s not a date I want, then it’s not best for me. I can say no,” Alex Pereira told MMA Fighting back in April this year. So what does this mean? Pereira made this comment after his headlining UFC 300, and he got his wish to fight sooner granted at UFC 303. So it could bode well for Ankalaev that the champion will get a good three to four months’ rest before the Abu Dhabi date. But then again, true to his character, Pereira called for a spot on the UFC 305 card scheduled for August 17 in Perth, Australia.

Is the rumor legitimate? Well, only time will tell what Dana White’s rumored plans for UFC 308 are. Share with us your take on Alex Pereira’s rumored next title defense. Do you see Magomed Ankalaev securing his second title shot? Drop your comments below.