Alex Pereira’s got a big night ahead at UFC 313 this Saturday, defending his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. If he wins, everyone’s buzzing about a jump to heavyweight. But could “Poatan” surprise us and head back to middleweight instead? UFC commentator Jon Anik thinks it’s not off the table.

Pereira’s already a two-division champ, and a win over Ankalaev might make him unstoppable at 205 pounds. So what’s next? Anik says it depends on the fight. “If Ankalaev dominates him 50-45 over 25 minutes, no rematch makes sense,” he told MMA Fighting. “But a quick knockout loss? Pereira’s fan love and the thin contender list might keep him around. Still, I’m not sold he’d stick at 205 to fight someone like Bogdan Guskov.”

Here’s the twist: Pereira can still hit 185 pounds and wants a crack at middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis. He won that belt in 2022 but never defended it before moving up. “If you think he doesn’t dream of going back to 185, you’re nuts,” Anik said. “If heavyweight stars like Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall aren’t ready, he’s not waiting around at 205. He’ll drop down and chase du Plessis.”

Khamzat Chimaev could mess up that plan, but Anik’s point stands—Pereira’s disciplined enough to make it happen. When asked this week, du Plessis was the first name Pereira mentioned, not Jones.

After a killer 2024 with three knockouts, some—like Daniel Cormier and Matt Brown—wonder if Pereira’s been distracted by fame and cash outside the Octagon, especially with Ankalaev being his toughest test yet. Anik’s not buying it. “This guy’s a workhorse,” he said. “Watch Embedded or Countdown—his bond with his team in Connecticut is rock-solid. Whether he’s banking $1 million in Australia or grinding in Danbury snow, he’s ready.”

The real challenge? Ankalaev himself. “Pereira’s not vulnerable because of distractions,” Anik added. “He’s just facing the best guy he’s met at 205. That’s the only hurdle.”

Saturday’s fight could send Pereira anywhere—up to heavyweight, back to middleweight, or staying put. One thing’s clear: win or lose, “Poatan” isn’t done making waves.