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Alex Pereira Confirms Huge Post-UFC Plan
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Highlights

  • Alex Pereira gets revenge on Magomed Ankalaev in a dominant first-round finish.
  • The win backs up his claims of injury from their first meeting at UFC 313.
  • Pereira confirms his next chapter will take him beyond the Octagon — and into a new discipline.

Oh, here we go again. Just when it seemed like the chapter had closed on Alex Pereira's rivalry with Magomed Ankalaev, the Brazilian powerhouse rewrote the story in brutal fashion. After falling short by unanimous decision at UFC 313, Pereira flipped the script at UFC 320, stopping Ankalaev just 1 minute 20 seconds into the first round with a flurry of elbows that left no doubt who the better fighter was.

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The emphatic finish not only put Pereira back on top but also validated his earlier claims that injuries had limited him in their first meeting. At the time, many brushed off those statements as excuses — until he returned fully healthy and looked like a man possessed. This wasn't just redemption; it was a statement.

In the weeks following his revenge win, Pereira stunned fans once again — this time with a bold declaration about what comes next. Shared by Happy Punch online, Pereira confirmed during an appearance on Connect Cast that he plans to step away from MMA after his UFC run and test himself in the world of boxing.

'I'm definitely going to box,' Pereira said. 'I made it clear that I want to fight boxing. When I got into kickboxing, they didn't believe in me. MMA, same thing. Boxing, they'll say the same. I'm used to it.'

It's a move that could make combat sports history. Pereira already holds world titles in both kickboxing (GLORY) and MMA (UFC). If he enters boxing and captures gold, he would become the first fighter ever to hold major titles in all three combat disciplines.

For now, Pereira isn't in a rush — but the mindset is clear. 'I don't care. I just want to go out there and fight,' he said. 'It's not just about aiming for more money. I like a challenge. I want to be the best.'

Whether it's defending his UFC crown one more time or preparing for a completely new battlefield, Pereira's focus remains locked on legacy. And if his track record is any indication, few will doubt him when he says he's just getting started.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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