The debate over who’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in MMA is heating up, and this weekend could shake things up big time. Back in January, UFC boss Dana White admitted that lightweight champ Islam Makhachev had edged out Jon Jones for the top spot. But with UFC 313 on the horizon, White’s tune might change again—especially if Alex Pereira keeps doing what he does best.
This Saturday, Pereira steps back into the octagon to defend his light heavyweight title for the fourth straight time, taking on the dangerous Magomed Ankalaev in the main event. Since snagging the belt with a knockout in 2024, “Poatan” has been a wrecking ball, racking up three more jaw-dropping finishes. If he can add Ankalaev to that highlight reel, he might just leapfrog Makhachev and claim the No. 1 spot in those mythical pound-for-pound rankings.
“He’s one of the biggest stars in the sport right now—if not the biggest,” White said on First Take. “What makes this fight so exciting is that Ankalaev is no joke. This could be the toughest test Pereira’s ever faced. His team keeps hyping up his takedown defense, saying fans haven’t seen how good it really is. Well, we’re about to find out.”
Right now, Pereira sits at No. 2 behind Makhachev on the MMA Fighting Global Rankings. A dominant win over Ankalaev could flip that script. Ankalaev’s been a top-tier light heavyweight for years, and many argue he should’ve already gotten this shot sooner. Timing just wasn’t on his side—until now.
This fight marks Pereira’s fifth straight UFC main event and his seventh headlining gig since joining the promotion in 2021. That’s a meteoric rise, and White can’t stop singing his praises. “Alex is that guy for us right now,” he said. “Fans love him because he’s pure violence—always hunting for the knockout. He doesn’t duck anyone. He even cut a vacation in Australia short to step up when we needed him. The guy will fight anybody, anywhere, anytime.”
Pereira’s not just content dominating light heavyweight, either. He’s got his eyes on bigger challenges—like a potential move to heavyweight. One name that keeps popping up? Jon Jones. Pereira’s hinted at wanting that champ-versus-champ superfight, and Jones has said he’s game too. White’s been lukewarm on the idea in the past, but on Wednesday, he didn’t slam the door shut.
“Alex is willing to fight Jon Jones. He’s willing to fight anybody,” White said. “And don’t let the internet fool you—Jones wants that fight too.”
For now, White’s eyeing “this summer” for Jones’ next fight, likely a heavyweight title unification bout with Tom Aspinall. But if Pereira obliterates Ankalaev and calls out Jones again, who knows? The UFC loves a blockbuster, and that matchup would be pure chaos.
Why Pereira’s the People’s Champ
What makes Pereira so special isn’t just his knockout power—it’s his attitude. He’s stepped up in weight classes, taken on all comers, and never shied away from a challenge. White summed it up perfectly: “He comes in, tries to take your head off, and doesn’t care who’s standing across from him. He’s even open to heavyweight. That’s the kind of fighter people rally behind.”
So, will UFC 313 be the night Pereira cements himself as the pound-for-pound king? Ankalaev’s a legit threat with the skills to derail that hype train. But if Pereira does what he’s done time and time again—walk out with another KO win—the conversation might shift for good. Keep your eyes peeled this weekend, because the MMA world could have a new top dog by Sunday morning.
