Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Alex Pereira Receives One-Word Reply After Snubbing His No. 1 Challenger

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Chris De Santiago | Last updated Dec 19, 2024 7:33 AM ET

Strange things are happening in the UFC Light Heavyweight division. On Wednesday, reigning champion Alex Pereira would seemingly eliminate #1 contender Magomed Ankalaev from title contention.

Nevada Athletic Commission Suspends 3 UFC-Hopefuls after Contender Series Drug Tests

Alex Pereira's Next Opponent?

Unbeaten in his last 11 fights and another win over Aleksandr Rakic at UFC 308, Ankalaev was thought to be a shoo-in for Pereira’s next title defence, but that doesn’t look to be the case anymore if Pereira’s latest post proves true.

“It’s not Ankalaev,” Pereira posted across social media with a crying face emoji.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alex "Poatan" Pereira (@alexpoatanpereira)

Outside of the champion, Magomed Ankalaev, 32, has practically cleaned out the light heavyweight division with wins over Ion Cutelaba (twice), Nikita Krylov, Volkan Oezdemir, Thiago Santos, Anthony Smith, Johnny Walker and Aleksandr Rakic.

The only blemishes on Ankalaev’s UFC record? A split draw to former champion Jan Blachowicz in his one and only title fight at UFC 282 and a freak submission loss to Paul Craig in 2018, going undefeated since.

Meanwhile, Pereira is undefeated at light heavyweight with title fight wins over former champs Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka (twice), and the #7 ranked Khalil Rountree, his latest victim at UFC 307.