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Pereira’s Alternatives To Ankalaev

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 8:50 AM ET

Alex Pereira is not guaranteed to fight Magomed Ankalaev in the rematch as we examine some alternatives.

Pereira experienced a unanimous decision defeat in their clash, as he suffered his first loss at light heavyweight. The defeat also cost him his UFC Light Heavyweight Title. There has been widespread discussion about the rematch, with Ankalaev putting pressure on Alex. He accused Pereira of ducking a rematch, stating a fight at International Fight Week was turned down. Alex has raised controversy over his future after his social media suggested he may retire. Pereira hit back at those claims, stating that his X account had been hacked. Alex has said he will not retire, as we look at other fighters he could face instead of Ankalaev.

“We’ll definitely be talking about my next fight soon. I don’t have a specific date yet, but we already have an idea. I took this time off to rest, because I worked hard in 2024. I think my body got tired, I had some injuries, so I decided to take it easy, more on the recovery side, and now I’m coming back. To come back [the right way]: firm and strong, to go after my belt again,” Pereira said

Options

Instagram: jonnybones

There is the possibility of facing Jones Jones. The latter has been linked with the Tom Aspinall fight, something which has not yet been confirmed. Jones has given mixed signals about fighting Aspinall, while the latter has been linked to a fight with Ciryl Gane. Bones is on record saying that a Pereira fight is much bigger globally, with Alex previously not having ruled it out.

Instagram: dricusduplessis

Another option is to face Dricus Du Plessis. Du Plessis, the UFC Middleweight Champion, defeated Sean Strickland to claim the belt. Since then, he has beaten Israel Adesanya and Strickland in the rematch. He will face Khamzat Chimaev in his next, as Alex could target the winner. Pereira had previously expressed an interest in that fight after Izzy’s loss ruled out a trilogy. However, he would have to return to middleweight, which would prove difficult unless Du Plessis moved up.

Instagram: usykaa

There is also an outside chance of having a boxing fight with Oleksandr Usyk. Pereira has expressed interest in that fight. Usyk is currently preparing to face Daniel Dubois for the Undisputed Heavyweight Title. A win makes Usyk the undisputed heavyweight champion for a second time. And following TKO Group Holdings’ Inc. introduction to boxing, Pereira may land himself that fight. Either way, Alex has plenty to consider moving forward.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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