Shara Magomedov targets grappling bout with Alex Pereira

During Magomedov’s grappling match with Arman Tsarukyan, several big names were considered for the event, including Hollywood actor Tom Hardy, who was linked to the card before ‘Shara Bullet’ took his place.

Following the attention that bout received, the IBA [International Boxing Association] is now reportedly interested in setting up a grappling match between Magomedov and Pereira later this year.

Magomedov told Red Corner MMA: “We presented Umar Kremlev [IBA President] the idea of my grappling match with Alex Pereira as we have some agreements with him but he has a very important fight scheduled.

“So after this fight our grappling match with Alex Pereira is very possible. Why not? It’s very exciting to see two strikers, two Muay Thai fighters face each other. And I think the fact I was born in Dagestan will help me.”

Alex Pereira said to be eyeing a move up to heavyweight

If the match goes ahead, weight could be a talking point. Grappling contests tend not to enforce divisions quite as strictly, but Pereira’s size would still stand out – he recently tipped the scales at 242 pounds and is reportedly considering another move up.

Magomedov, meanwhile, is naturally a middleweight but has already shown his willingness to face lighter opponents by taking on lightweight Tsarukyan. Whether he chooses to bulk up or simply forgo his usual weight cut for a potential clash with Pereira remains to be seen.

Pereira used to compete at 185 pounds earlier in his career. But after dropping his first title defence, he made the jump up to 205 pounds – a division where he’s gone on to build one of the most impressive resumes in recent history across two championship runs.