Alex Pereira is currently focused on reclaiming the title that he lost earlier this year at UFC 313.
After being beaten by Magomed Ankalaev in March, whatever big plans that ‘Poatan’ had in mind for the future were put on hold.
For the time being, he will be remaining at light heavyweight where a big clash is set to take place at UFC Baku between two of Pereira’s former opponents.
The Brazilian has become a huge star for the promotion, with Pereira proving Dana White wrong with his success inside the Octagon.
With the heavyweight division currently being stalled due to the ongoing conversation surrounding Jon Jones, the former champion moving up would be a massive boost, but it doesn’t look likely to happen in 2025.
Alex Pereira isn’t concerned with what’s happening at heavyweight while he’s focused on getting his belt back
With Dana White setting a deadline to try and resolve the current heavyweight title picture, it looks like the UFC are finally set to make a decision regarding Jon Jones’ future as the champion.
If ‘Bones’ were to be stripped of the title, that could open Alex Pereira up for a huge heavyweight clash against the likes of interim champion Tom Aspinall.
However, heavyweight isn’t on his mind right now as the former light heavyweight champion is focused on getting his belt back from Magomed Ankalaev.
‘Poatan’ is hoping that the rematch will take place around September, October or November but there has been no confirmation from the UFC as of yet.
Pereira told MMA Fighting in a recent interview that his highly anticipated heavyweight move has fallen down the pecking order of priorities at this time.
“My focus right now is fighting Ankalaev. Get my belt back and then we see what happens after.”
He also said that, regarding whether Jones will be stripped of the belt or not, he’s not paying too much attention to the heavyweight division at this time.
“I have nothing to say to be really honest with you. If I was able to fight at heavyweight, I’m not, so let these guys kill each other in that weight class. Right now, I’m just focusing on light heavyweight.”
Jiri Prochazka turned down a fight with Magomed Ankalaev for the light heavyweight title
While the UFC looked to book the rematch between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev for June, ‘Poatan’ wanted more time to recover before stepping back inside the Octagon.
On social media, the current champion had claimed that they would move on from fighting Pereira if the Brazilian didn’t agree which was supported by the news that the UFC had tried to book Ankalaev vs Jiri Prochazka.
The former champion revealed in a video with Full Violence that he declined this opportunity due to previous commitments regarding his studies.
It now seems likely, with no UFC PPV event being scheduled for September, that Pereira and Ankalaev will run it back in October following UFC 319 in August.