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Alex Pereira targets UFC 308 ‘Homecoming’ fight at Madison Square Garden: ‘It makes total sense’

With his immediate fighting future less than clear off the back of his one-sided first round knockout win over…

With his immediate fighting future less than clear off the back of his one-sided first round knockout win over Jamahal Hill this month, Alex Pereira has claimed if he had his pick of landing pads next, the Brazilian would fight in his home-from-home at Madison Square Garden at the end of the year at UFC 308.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, turned in his first successful defense of his light heavyweight crown at UFC 300 earlier this month, landing a devastating first round knockout win over former champion, Hill in the pair’s grudge fight.

Alex Pereira weighs up Manchester fight with Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 I'm there

And linked with a quickfire return at UFC 301 next weekend in a homecoming bout, Pereira was ruled from a stunning comeback by his head coach, who revealed the Sao Paulo native fractured a second toe in his foot during the first round of his clash with Illinois native, Hill.

Welcoming the prospect of a heavyweight rise as well as in a bid to become a promotional-first three-division champion, Pereira has been heavily linked with an interim title siege against current champion, Tom Aspinall, with the British favorite confirming his presence on a now-official UFC 304 card in Manchester at the end of July.

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Furthermore, Pereira, who is targeting a relatively timely return to action having emerged from his pairing with Hill relatively unscathed, knocked back an offer of an October return against the surging, Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 307 in Abu Dhabi, citing his desire to fight sooner than that late in the year.

Alex Pereira eyes UFC 308 return at Madison Square Garden

However, in the same breath, given an ideal scenario, Pereira confirmed his desire to compete at The Mecca for the promotion’s annual Madison Square Garden card at a potential UFC 308 event in November – boasting an impressive three-fight winning run in the arena since his debut in the organization less than three years ago.

Alex Pereira rejects UFC 308 clash with Magomed Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi I want to fight sooner — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“It makes total sense,” Alex Pereira told MMA Fighting of a potential UFC 308 comeback at Madison Square Garden. “Wait one more month and I’m fighting at home? It’s so much better.”

Who would you like Alex Pereira fight in his return after his UFC 300 victory?

Chris Weidman unsure of Alex Pereira’s ability to keep UFC title: ‘I see such an opening with the wrestling’

Whilst appearing to sell the majority of the mixed martial arts community on his dominance off the back of…

Whilst appearing to sell the majority of the mixed martial arts community on his dominance off the back of his stunning first round win over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 earlier this month, Alex Pereira’s apparent wrestling shortcomings have caught the eye of former middleweight kingpin, Chris Weidman.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder and the current undisputed light heavyweight champion, headlined UFC 300 earlier this month in a title fight return against ex-champion, Hill, turning in a dominant first round knockout win over the Illinois native.

As for Weidman, the former middleweight champion returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since his gruesome compound leg fracture back in 2021 with a controversial decision win over Bruno Silva at UFC Atlantic City last month.

Chris Weidman admits he’s not sold on Alex Pereira

And linked with a title fight against surging Russian contender, Magomed Ankalaev as well as a heavyweight division leap in his return, Alex Pereira – as per Weidman, is likely there for the taking against a proficient wrestler and grappler, despite his thunderous knockout power.

Chris Weidman lands egregious decision win over Bruno Silva after multiple eye pokes UFC Atlantic City — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“It’s hard for me to get fully behind (Alex) Pereira, because I do see such an opening with the wrestling, and he hasn’t really fought wrestlers who will take advantage of that,” Chris Weidman said during an appearance on Believe You Me. “It’s hard to deal with, but it’s so crazy and it’s such a deficiency in what we’ve seen so far.”

“It’s almost like Ben Askren coming into the UFC and being able to just become a multiple-time champion with no hands [striking],” Weidman explained. “It’s like a striker looking at Ben Askren and thinking, ‘How the hell is this guy the world champion?’ He was able to do it in Bellator, he was able to do it in ONE FC. The guy had an unbelievable MMA career and had no striking at all. It looked awful but he was so good at wrestling he was able to do it.”

Do you agree with Chris Weidman’s take on Alex Pereira’s ability?

Anthony Smith rekindles rivalry with UFC star Alex Pereira, eyes future fight: ‘I would stand in the fire with him’

Rekindling his rivalry with undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, former divisional title challenger, Anthony Smith claims if afforded…

Rekindling his rivalry with undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, former divisional title challenger, Anthony Smith claims if afforded the opportunity – he would warrant the Brazilian an in-close striking battle, ahead of his UFC 301 return next weekend.

Smith, a former light heavyweight title chaser and the current number 10 ranked divisional contender, is slated to return to the Octagon next weekend in hostile territory in Brazil, featuring at UFC 301 in a showdown with a highly-touted unbeaten prospect, Vitor Petrino.

Anthony Smith survives gnarly eye injury to win close decision in rematch Ryan Spann UFC Singapore — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Sidelined since last December, Nebraska veteran, Smith suffered a knockout loss to incoming UFC 303 co-headliner, Khalil Rountree – resulting in his third defeat in his four most recent walks under the promotional banner.

For former duel-division champion, Pereira, the incumbent light heavyweight gold holder headlined UFC 300 earlier this month, landing a blistering first round KO win over another former champion, Jamahal Hill in a one-sided victory.

Anthony Smith talks rivalry with Alex Pereira

And sharing som fiery words on Smith prior to his title coronation at 205 pounds, Pereira claimed the former Bellator MMA fighter was “stuck in a rut” amid his losing skid, however, Smith admitted he hopes to still settle their differences in the future, vowing to stand and trade with him.

Anthony Smith expected to weigh up fighting retirement after UFC Charlotte loss — Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon – USA TODAY Sports

“He’s fun,” Anthony Smith told Submission Radio of Alex Pereira. “Him and I have had our words back-and-forth. I don’t think there’s any real beef there, but there’s definitely something there with him and I where given the opportunity, we both would jump on it. If I can put myself in a position where, ‘Oh, holy sh*t, we are on a bit of a streak,’ and things are going well, the timing works out, I think both of use would jump on that opportunity.”

“I don’t know why that is,” Anthony Smith explained. “I don’t know if it’s ‘Real recognizes real’ a little bit. I’m one of the few guys probably that would really – I don’t know – I would step in the fire with him and he knows that.”

Would you like to see Alex Pereira take on Anthony Smith in the future?

Jamahal Hill echoes calls for rematch fight with UFC star Alex Pereira: ‘He’s gotta see me again’

Staking his claim for a future re-run with undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira in the immediate aftermath of…

Staking his claim for a future re-run with undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira in the immediate aftermath of his one-sided UFC 300 knockout loss, Jamahal Hill has insisted that a rematch against the Brazilian is in both of their respective futures.

Hill, himself the first product of Dana White’s Contender Series to strike gold inside the Octagon, headlined UFC 300 earlier this month in his Octagon return, after suffering a ruptured achilles tendon injury in the summer of last year.

Alex Pereira UFC 300 Zuffa LLC 3 — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Suffering a blistering opening round knockout loss to the Sao Paulo striker, Hill was stopped with a massive counter shovel hook from the Brazilian – after landing an inadvertent groin striker, which he later denied.

And already booked for his return, Illinois native is set to co-headline a high-profile UFC 303 card at the end of June during International Fight Week, taking on surging knockout artist, Khalil Rountree – in a potential title-decider, claiming he took “zero damage” against Pereira.

Jamahal Hill eyes rematch with Alex Pereira

Vowing to even stop the former middleweight champion in a re-run if afforded the opportunity, Hill has claimed that a fight against him is most definitely in the future of Pereira.

“Honestly, for me, now it’s not even about the gold strap, it’s about getting back to that fight [with Alex Pereira],” Jamahal Hill told The Schmo during a recent interview. “I wanna fight Alex again, just because of the narrative surrounding it [the first fight]. I know what I was feeling in there, and I know what type of timing it’s really on whenever we step in there again.”

“I don’t care, all I know is that Jamahal ‘Sweet Dreams’ Hill is in his future,” Jamahal Hill explained. For sure. Again. I don’t give a sh*t Schmo, if we gotta do it at 205 [pounds] or at heavyweight, he’s gotta see me again. That’s the only fight I care about.”

gettyimages 2148568885 612x612 1 — Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

Welcoming the opportunity of a historic heavyweight division rise in search of a record-setting third title under the organizational banner, Sao Paulo striker, Pereira is currently dealing with a pair of toe fractures, however, has been linked with a UFC 304 return against Tom Aspinall at the end of July.

Would you like to see Jamahal Hill rematch Alex Pereira in the future?

Israel Adesanya heaps praise on Alex Pereira amid rivalry: ‘He’s a special human being, I’ll always respect him’

Sharing a four-fight rivalry with Alex Pereira throughout their decorated combat sports career, Israel Adesanya claims he will always…

Sharing a four-fight rivalry with Alex Pereira throughout their decorated combat sports career, Israel Adesanya claims he will always respect the UFC light heavyweight champion amid their series of clashes, describing the Brazilian as a “special human being”.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September of last year against common-foe, Sean Strickland, dropping a one-sided unanimous decision loss.

As for Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira, the former two-division champion headlined UFC 300 just earlier this month, dispatching the returning, Jamahal Hill with a devastating opening round KO win in Las Vegas.

Israel Adesanya praises arch-enemy, Alex Pereira

And expected to share the Octagon with incumbent middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis in a return to championship settings at UFC 305 in August, Adesanya claims that despite his distinct, and often heated rivalry with four-fight foe, Pereira, he can’t but admit the Brazilian will always have his respect.

Israel Adesanya picks Jamahal Hill to beat Alex Pereira by KO in UFC 300 title fight — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Honestly, he’s (Alex Pereira) a special fighter,” Israel Adesanya said during an appearance on MightyCast. “He’s a special human being. What he’s done in this game, in fighting and for his life, as well, I’ll always respect him. I’m grateful for those moments for me, it taught me so much about myself and where I can go.”

“Same with the Kelvin Gastelum fight, it let me know I can go more,” Israel Adesanya explained. “That one, I was ready to die, but this one, I just knew, ‘There’s no f*cking way, this guy, I swear to God, I will die… fourth time’s a charm.”

GETTY UFC 287 Pereira v Adesanya 2 SPO GYI1480906107jpg JS808759612 1 — Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

Weighing up his fighting future off the back of his blistering win over Hill earlier this month atop UFC 300, Pereira has welcomed the chance to return in a heavyweight first inside the Octagon, amid links to a spectacular UFC 304 clash in July in a showdown against Tom Aspinall.

Do you think Alex Pereira will share the Octagon with Israel Adesanya again?

Ex-UFC champ Israel Adesanya slams Alex Pereira fans while defending his 1-3 record against ‘Poatan’

Israel Adesanya has nothing, but respect for longtime rival Alex Pereira. Pereira’s fans, on the other hand, not so…

Israel Adesanya has nothing, but respect for longtime rival Alex Pereira.

Pereira’s fans, on the other hand, not so much. Or as ‘The Last Stylebender’ likes to call them — “Poatards.”

Adesanya’s iconic rivalry with the reigning UFC light heavyweight world champion started all the way back in 2016 under the GLORY Kickboxing banner. There, Pereira scored back-to-back wins over Adesanya — one, a questionable unanimous decision and the other, an absolutely brutal third-round KO.

They picked up right where they left off inside the Octagon, with ‘Poatan’ finishing Adesanya in the fifth round of their UFC 281 headliner to claim the 185-pound crown.

Looking back on their legendary scraps during a recent appearance on Demetrious Johnson’s YouTube channel, Adesanya couldn’t help but vent his frustration over “casual” MMA fans who continue to ignore the success he had against Pereira despite holding a 1-3 record against the Brazilian.

“People, they’re so f*cking stupid,” Adesanya said. “In this first fight in China, I thought I won. These casuals don’t. These plebs don’t. I thought I won. Even he thought he won until he got his hand raised. The second time, I’m beating his ass and he gets me. Again in New York [at UFC 281], I’m beating him. Rocked him. Took him down, beat him, and he gets me.”

Adesanya finally broke through five months removed from his third-straight loss to Pereira, retaking his middleweight title at UFC 287.

“I just knew that I can beat this guy,” Adesanya added. “It wasn’t about proving it to anyone else. I can beat this guy, so that last Miami one, I was in a different place. I had to tap into some darkness for that camp. People who knew me, I was different. Ain’t no way this motherf*cker is about to beat me four times. It’s about the story. So now I’ve beat him once. How ironic. I beat him once, but watch this. If I fight him again and knock him out, what are they going to say? ‘It’s 3-2. Now it’s best out of seven.’

“I’m 34. I’ve only got a certain amount of fights left. Why am I gonna fight the same guy however many times? I just want to prove it to myself.”

Israel Adesanya is grateful for the time he spent competing against Alex Pereira

Content to leave their series where it stands, Alex Pereira made the move to light heavyweight, earning a split-decision victory over former 205-pound champ Jan Blachowicz. That win set the stage for his world title clash with Jiri Prochazka. In November, the two warriors stepped under the main event spotlight at UFC 295 inside the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.

There, ‘Poatan’ delivered another highlight-reel-worthy knockout, finishing Prochazka in the second round to claim his second world title in a year.

“He’s a special fighter,” Adesanya said of Pereira. “He’s a special human being. What he’s done in this game — in fighting and what he’s done for his life as well, I’ll always respect him. I’m grateful for those moments because, for me, it taught me so much about myself and where I can go.”

Pereira is fresh off his first successful defense of the light heavyweight belt, dispatching Jamahal Hill in the opening round of their UFC 300 headliner on April 13.