Tag: alex pereira

Magomed Ankalaev Continues To Berate Alex Pereira: ‘Willing To Fight Everyone Short Notice But Me’

When Belal Muhammad was announced to have withdrawn from his upcoming welterweight title defense at UFC 310, everyone had the same thought. If the UFC needed someone to step in and save the main event, there was only one name they could call. The biggest argument for Alex Pereira being the 2024 fighter of the […]

Continue Reading Magomed Ankalaev Continues To Berate Alex Pereira: ‘Willing To Fight Everyone Short Notice But Me’ at MMA News.

When Belal Muhammad was announced to have withdrawn from his upcoming welterweight title defense at UFC 310, everyone had the same thought. If the UFC needed someone to step in and save the main event, there was only one name they could call.

The biggest argument for Alex Pereira being the 2024 fighter of the year is that he has stepped up and delivered for the UFC when they needed him most on several occasions. “Poatan” has already saved two big cards in UFC 300 and UFC 303 but doing it again would have been unthinkable.

It also appeared from his social media that his likely challenger, Magomed Ankalaev, was down to make a quick turnaround from UFC 308 to fight on December 7 in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, it now looks like Pereira’s last fight against Khalil Rountree in October will stop him from doing that.

During a recent appearance on the Podpah podcast, Pereira revealed that he’s dealing with a hand injury after Rountree was able to withstand a lot of damage before being stopped in the fourth round.

“In that 4th round, I was throwing jabs and it was hurting my hand man, I swear. I was thinking ‘my hand must be broken’. It still hurts today. It’s not that bad, but if I touch right here it hurts.”

Though Pereira has fought through injuries in the past, “Poatan” faces a tough test in Ankalaev who he’ll surely want to be at his best for. This was echoed in Ankalaev’s response to the video on social media.

The top light heavyweight contender replied to Pereira’s comments and claimed that the champion knows that he can’t risk it this time around unlike some of his previous fights.

“Willing to fight everyone short notice but with me, he knows he have to be ready he’s not stupid”

Continue Reading Magomed Ankalaev Continues To Berate Alex Pereira: ‘Willing To Fight Everyone Short Notice But Me’ at MMA News.

Alex Pereira Approached To Save The Day — Again — After UFC 310 Loses Main Event

The UFC has reportedly turned to a familiar face in Alex Pereira after losing its headline attraction for the final pay-per-view event of the year. Reports emerged on Thursday regarding a potential injury suffered by UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad, who was booked to headline UFC 310 in Las Vegas on Dec. 7 in defense […]

Continue Reading Alex Pereira Approached To Save The Day — Again — After UFC 310 Loses Main Event at MMA News.

The UFC has reportedly turned to a familiar face in Alex Pereira after losing its headline attraction for the final pay-per-view event of the year.

Reports emerged on Thursday regarding a potential injury suffered by UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad, who was booked to headline UFC 310 in Las Vegas on Dec. 7 in defense of his title against Shavkat Rakhmonov.

“Remember the Name” subsequently confirmed the disappointing news on social media, posting an image of a gruesome bone infection that hospitalized him and will keep him out of training for the next six weeks.

With that, the promotion will need to secure a new headline matchup to close out its PPV schedule for 2024. And when it comes to saviors, no one has fit the description in 2024 quite like “Poatan.”

Pereira, a former UFC middleweight champion and the reigning light heavyweight kingpin, has had a bumper year inside the Octagon, reeling off three straight title defenses in record-breaking speed to establish himself as one of the sport’s biggest stars.

The manner of his first two defenses only added to the plaudits thrown his way, with Pereira saving the promotion after a struggle to secure a suitable UFC 300 main event and the withdrawal of Conor McGregor from UFC 303 less than three months later.

Having added the name of Khalil Rountree to his reign’s list of victims at UFC 307 earlier this month, it appeared that Pereira would finally be due a long-earned rest.

While that still might be the case, MMA Mania is reporting that “Poatan” has indeed been contacted about headlining UFC 310 against Magomed Ankalaev in light of Muhammad vs. Rakhmonov being off.

The welterweight number one contender seemingly has something to say about that, however. After wishing his injured opponent well on X, “Nomad” called to remain on the UFC 310 card in competition for an interim welterweight strap.

It remains to be seen whether Muhammad will be out for long enough to warrant the creation of another belt. But should no other options come to fruition for the Dec. 7 headline slot, the promotion has previously shown a willingness to add interim belts to the equation in such scenarios.

Continue Reading Alex Pereira Approached To Save The Day — Again — After UFC 310 Loses Main Event at MMA News.

UFC Vet Chimes In On Pereira vs. Topuria Fighter Of The Year Debate: ‘Alex Didn’t Knock Out P4P Greats’

Matt Brown believes that Ilia Topuria has the edge over Alex Pereira in the discussion for UFC Fighter of the Year. “El Matador” secured the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February. Subsequently, Topuria successfully retained his belt last Saturday in the main event of UFC 308, making history as […]

Continue Reading UFC Vet Chimes In On Pereira vs. Topuria Fighter Of The Year Debate: ‘Alex Didn’t Knock Out P4P Greats’ at MMA News.

Matt Brown believes that Ilia Topuria has the edge over Alex Pereira in the discussion for UFC Fighter of the Year.

“El Matador” secured the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February. Subsequently, Topuria successfully retained his belt last Saturday in the main event of UFC 308, making history as the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway.

Meanwhile, “Poatan” successfully defended his light heavyweight title three times in just six months, with all victories coming by way of knockout. He began this impressive streak by stopping Jamahal Hill in the first round at UFC 300 in April. He then defeated Jiri Prochazka on two weeks’ notice at UFC 303 in June. Most recently, Pereira stopped Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 earlier this month.

With less than two full months remaining in 2024, Pereira stood out as the leading contender for Fighter of the Year. However, “The Immortal” contends that Topuria’s impressive knockout victories over two of the top 145-pounders in history had already secured him the year-end accolade, placing him ahead of the Brazilian and all other contenders.

During a recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer (via MMA Fighting), Brown noted that while “El Matador” might have one fewer win than Pereira this year, the caliber of his opponents in title fights has set a new benchmark for competitive excellence.

Continue Reading UFC Vet Chimes In On Pereira vs. Topuria Fighter Of The Year Debate: ‘Alex Didn’t Knock Out P4P Greats’ at MMA News.

Alexander Volkanovski On Ilia Topuria’s Fighter Of The Year Claim: ‘If It Wasn’t Pereira Saving Cards…’

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is backing Ilia Topuria for 2024’s Fighter of the Year accolade despite Alex Pereira’s record-breaking run. Topuria took another step toward greatness on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, where he headlined the UFC 308 pay-per-view against BMF titleholder and 145-pound legend Max Holloway. […]

Continue Reading Alexander Volkanovski On Ilia Topuria’s Fighter Of The Year Claim: ‘If It Wasn’t Pereira Saving Cards…’ at MMA News.

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is backing Ilia Topuria for 2024’s Fighter of the Year accolade despite Alex Pereira’s record-breaking run.

Topuria took another step toward greatness on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, where he headlined the UFC 308 pay-per-view against BMF titleholder and 145-pound legend Max Holloway.

After shockingly putting Volkanovski down in Anaheim this past February, “El Matador” repeated the feat at Holloway’s expense, becoming the first to knock the Hawaiian out in the process.

Just weeks ago, many saw the Fighter of the Year debate as being wrapped up after Pereira defeated Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 to record his third successful light heavyweight defense of the year.

Pre-UFC 308, though, Volkanovski outlined a strong case for Topuria were he to add Holloway’s name to his growing résumé in the sport’s leading promotion.

And during an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Volkanovski said there wouldn’t even be a debate about “Poatan” pipping Topuria to the post if it wasn’t for the way in which his assignments came together.

The Australian pointed out that Pereira is credited with ‘saving’ the promotion after a struggle to find a suitable UFC 300 main event and the late-notice withdrawal of Conor McGregor weeks before UFC 303.

“A few things come into play when you’re saving cards. Put it this way, if it wasn’t Pereira saving cards and putting his belt on the line while saving cards, it would be clearly Ilia,” Volkanovski said. “Yeah, you’ve had three defenses, but the two that Ilia took out and finished us both, it’s hard to pick against Ilia, to be honest.

“Before this past weekend, I was like, ‘How does Pereira not get it?’ It was pretty clear,” Volkanovski continued. “It’s pretty impressive, man. It’s tough to say.”

Pereira’s victories over Jamahal Hill, Ji?í Procházka, and Rountree this year came in the space of just 175 days, breaking Ronda Rousey’s record for the shortest time to record three consecutive defenses.

The level of competition Topuria has faced, however — alongside the manner with which he’s beaten two of the greatest of all time — has made him a popular choice for Fighter of the Year.

Beyond that discussion concluding in a couple of months’ time, Volkanovski appears likely to be the one next tasked with bringing Topuria’s violent run to an end.

After he entered the cage for a respectful interaction with the champ in Abu Dhabi, the Australian was confirmed as the next challenger by UFC CEO Dana White, setting the stage for a monumental rematch in 2025.

Continue Reading Alexander Volkanovski On Ilia Topuria’s Fighter Of The Year Claim: ‘If It Wasn’t Pereira Saving Cards…’ at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley Hails Ilia Topuria’s Power with Bold Comparison to Alex Pereira after UFC 308 Knockout

Sean O'Malley Hails Ilia Topuria’s Power with Bold Comparison to Alex Pereira after UFC 308 KnockoutSean O’Malley can’t hate on Ilia Topuria anymore. On Saturday, ‘El Matador’ stunned fight fans around the world when…

Sean O'Malley Hails Ilia Topuria’s Power with Bold Comparison to Alex Pereira after UFC 308 Knockout

Sean O’Malley can’t hate on Ilia Topuria anymore.

On Saturday, ‘El Matador’ stunned fight fans around the world when he became the first man to ever knockout out Max Holloway, putting away ‘Blessed’ in the third round of their UFC 308 headliner in Abu Dhabi.

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Fighters and fans alike couldn’t help but marvel at Topuria’s latest finish, including former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley who liked ‘El Matador’ to none other than reigning light heavyweight king, Alex Pereira.

“Ilia is [was] so dangerous the whole fight,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. He’s like a little f*cking Alex Pereira.

O’Malley wants to see Ilia Topuria challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title

Following UFC 308, Dana White all but confirmed that Alexander Volkanovski would be next in line for a shot at Topuria’s title in what would be a rematch of their February 2024 showdown in Anaheim. However, ‘Sugar’ is really feeling the idea of seeing Topuria move to up challenge lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev in a champion vs. champion clash.

“Bro, you can’t tell me Islam vs. f*cking Ilia isn’t a fight you would want to see,” O’Malley added.

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Of course, O’Malley doesn’t hate the idea of seeing Topuria and Volkanovski run it back either.

“God, Ilia Topuria vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2? I actually wouldn’t mind seeing that with Volk having a full, like, healthy Alexander Volkanovski,” O’Malley added.

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Which fight would you rather see when Topuria returns to the Octagon in 2025?