A recent video posted by Alex Pereira caused quite a stir among UFC fans.
In the video, “Poitan” is seen leaving the UFC offices with his manager Ed Soares, presumably carrying the fight agreement with him. If Pereira wants to return to action in March, as rumored, it looks like he won’t be able to defend his title against top light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev, who is out due to Ramadan. One website speculated that Khamzat Chimaev would be the opponent, but that possibility was not confirmed by either teams or MMA journalists.
It will not be Ankalaev! 😭
— Alex “Poitan” Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC)
December 19, 2024
In the first week of 2025, Brazilian journalist Lerte Viana revealed on his YouTube channel that he had received information from people close to “Poitan” that his next opponent would be heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov. did. This rumor was dissected by UFC Fight Pass Brazil commentator Carlos Barreto on his weekly podcast “Papo de Ruta” this Monday.
“This rumor makes perfect sense,” Barrett said. “It will be a way for ‘Poitan’ to test himself, as Anakalayev will miss games in March and is expected to return in May or June.”
[third ranked fighter] of the heavyweight division. Volkov will present him with different challenges. Russians are good at karate, have big bodies, wide wingspans, and are good at ground fighting, but Poitan has more speed. I see this as a “safe fight” for the champion to test himself in a new division. It’s the complete opposite of Chimaev. ”
Barreto added that the rumored fight with Chimaev doesn’t mean much.
“In addition to being a Muslim like Anakaraev, Chimaev will be a more complicated fight for Poitan, and it will be difficult for Dana White to fight head-to-head with the champion, who is the company’s biggest asset today, in the top division. It wouldn’t make sense to give him a chance to make his debut,” Barrett said. “It would make sense if he was already the middleweight champion and ‘Poitin’ didn’t have a choice. That’s not the case. Probably not. [manager
Jorge Guimaraes]who designed Poatan’s entire career. In fact, not only “Poitan” but also Anderson, Minotauro, Lyoto, and Patricio Pitbull. Interestingly, Joynha and Ed Soares are also Volkov’s managers, which makes this news even more meaningful. ”
