Tag: UFC 308

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.

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.

NEW: Alex Pereira explains why he pushed Herb Dean out of the way after Hill hit him with an illegal groin shot, and knocked him out seconds after. #UFC300

“When I was cornering him, he hit me with that groin kick. But it was bearable. I thought it was better for me to keep… pic.twitter.com/TQw76HNnmq

— Parry Punch (@ParryPunchNews) April 14, 2024

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.

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.

“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?

Surging contender, Magomed Ankalaev appeared less than impressed by incumbent light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira’s one-sided win over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 over the weekend, calling for his own title chase with the Brazilian at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi later this year.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder, and the current light heavyweight champion, turned in his first successful defense of the 205 pound crown over the weekend at UFC 300 – landing a devastating first round KO win over the above-mentioned, Hill in their pair’s main event grudge fight. 

As for Ankalaev, the one-time vacant title challenger has been sidelined since he rematched Johnny Walker in January, turning in his own second round KO win to earn himself a Performance of the Night bonus. 

And staking his claim for a stunning return to the Octagon in just three weeks time at UFC 301 in his native Brazil after emerging relatively unscathed from his title fight with Hill, Alex Pereira suggested a heavyweight move, and in turn, an interim championship clash against Tom Aspinall. 

Magomed Ankalaev calls for Alex Pereira title clash in Abu Dhabi

However, receiving his own call out after his blistering UFC 300 win, Pereira has been challenged to an October return at the Etihad Arena in the Middle East by the above-mentioned, Ankalaev, who vowed to KO the fan-favorite at UFC 308.

“@AlexPereiraUFC vs. me [in] Abu Dhabi,” Magomed Ankalaev posted on his official X account.

@AlexPereiraUFC vs me Abu Dhabi

— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) April 14, 2024

“@AlexPereiraUFC congratulation (sic),” Magomed Ankalaev continued. “I will stop [you] in the first round by knockout. @danawhite @mickmaynard2 the man doesn’t have a chin.” 

@AlexPereiraUFC congratulation, l will stop in the first round by knockout @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 the man doesn’t have a chin

— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) April 14, 2024

With his victory over Hill at UFC 300, Pereira turned in his third successive victory at the light heavyweight limit since his move last summer, having taken out Jan Blachowicz with a decision win, which came before a knockout of Jiri Prochazka to win vacant divisional gold.

Who wins in a future title fight: Alex Pereira or Magomed Ankalaev?