UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev may not be able to go back with Alex Pereira.
Magomed Ankalaev ended Alex Pereira's history UFC Light Heavyweight Title Reign in a unanimous decision gain on UFC 313 earlier this year. The victory extended the long profit treak of Ankalaev in the Octagon and ended Pereira's undefeated run in the light heavyweight division.
Almost immediately after UFC 313 the lectures ran on an Ankalaev vs. Pereira Rematch unbridled, because the two parties seemed to agree on a second fight later this year. But Pereira's current interruption has given rise to speculation that he may not get the immediate rematch he is looking for.
If Pereira does not return quickly, the UFC matchmakers can go in a different direction for the first title defense of Ankalaev. A former UFC star has a big name in mind that has flown under the radar in recent months.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Josh Thomson tables a surprising competition for the first defending defense of Magomed Ankalaev
The UFC Light Heavyweight Title Picture contains some intriguing names, including former title holders Jamahal Hill and Jiri Procazka. PrOCHAZKA comes from an impressive Hill finish on UFC 311, and Hill will be confronted next month with the former title Challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. At UFC Baku.
But there is another name in the mix for a shot on the throne of Ankalaev.
In a recent episode of The Weeging in Podcast, the former UFC star Josh Thomson Carlos Ulberg for the first defending defense of Ankalaev.
“What you have is Jamahal Hill that comes from a loss, Jan Bachowicz comes from a loss, Aleksandar Rakic comes from a loss, Khalil Rountree Jr. comes from a loss,” said Thomson. “Dominick Reyes is number eight, he has a victory. You have Carlos Ulberg, that's it at number three. You have Jiri but Jiri can't fight. I mean, throw, I would say that Ulberg puts him in, see if Ankalaev will also be with him.
“There is nothing else that you can do. I mean, we are looking for that guy to bring an exciting fight to Ankalaev, because at the moment happiness is trying to sell that.” (H/t Bjpenn)
Ulberg defeated Jan Bachowicz most recently in UFC London earlier this year to extend his eight-Vecht profit freak in the Octagon. If Ulberg wins a UFC title, he would be the newest Dana White's Contender Series Alum to hoist UFC Gold and become a member of Sean O'Malley and Jack della Maddalena.
During his UFC official period, Ulberg defeated the will of Volkan Oezdemir, Alonzo Menifield and Da-un Jung. After he has dropped his UFC debut on UFC 259, Ulberg has been on a role with five stop wins.
Alex Pereira Social Media Hack has fueled UFC pension speculation
Pereira's X account has recently been hacked and has included a cryptic message that hints with the UFC buyer on dismay. Pereira later clarified that he was not responsible for the position, which hinted in retirement instead of working on an immediate rematch with Ankalaev.
Ankalaev also received a callout from heavyweight Competier Jilton Almeida, who does not exclude a return to the light heavyweight division to fight for the belt. Almeida finished Serghei Spivac on UFC 311 earlier this year for his second consecutive first round victory.
While the UFC matchmakers continue to work on what the next step is for Ankalaev and the light heavyweights, there are numerous options at the top of the division. Ulberg can get the call for a title shot rather than most of them.