The worldwide MMA group has been despatched right into a frenzy due to a rumor that Alex Pereira is in talks to battle Khamzat Chimaev for his subsequent UFC gentle heavyweight title protection.
While that rumor has not been confirmed by both workforce, Alex Pereira definitely hasn’t helped issues by claiming that his subsequent title battle “is not going to be [against] Ankalaev.”
Rumor circulates that Alex Pereira is in talks to battle Khamzat Chimaev
Earlier this week, UFC followers woke as much as a fairly shocking rumor circulating on X; that Pereira’s subsequent title battle gained’t come in opposition to Magomed Ankalaev as many anticipated, however in opposition to Khamzat Chimaev.
As followers started to take a position on the matchup, Pereira himself would take to social media to tease that he’s rejecting Magomed Ankalaev as his subsequent opponent – which solely served to gas the rumor even additional.
Reacting to the story on Instagram, former heavyweight contender Brendan Shaub would re-share the preliminary publish with the caption: “No F***** method, anybody know if that is for actual? Take. My. Cash.”
The rumor even reached the ears of former middleweight king Robert Whittaker, who claimed that his former opponent would certainly beat Pereira, if that battle truly got here to fruition.
“I noticed a rumor that Chimaev may go up and battle Pereira – think about that… Chimaev [wins] simply – perhaps not simply – however Chimaev [wins] although… Until the heavyweight power modifications his dynamic, Chimaev would get the takedown. He’s good at what he does and that performs into his strengths.
“However let’s say hypothetically, Chimaev slows down and gasses a bit of bit, Pereira gained’t, and he can strike in his sleep… He’ll kill Chimaev within the standup, it gained’t be like that Usman-Chimaev battle the place Usman was out-boxing him, it’d be a slaughter.”
Chimaev and Pereira have an extended historical past of calling one another out
A battle between Chimaev and Pereira would take numerous UFC followers without warning, though the 2 superstars do have an extended historical past of calling one another out.
In 2023, Chimaev referred to as Pereira a ‘scared boy’ and earlier than his final battle at UFC 308, reaffirmed that he’s “at all times been open” about his need to face Poatan.
“I do know stylistically, that is match for me [is] a lot simpler than for different guys,” Chimaev advised Michael Bisping previous to his conflict with Whittaker.
“However in placing, I’m trustworthy, the man might knock me out. I do know he’s striker, the most effective who has the toughest punches, [but] I’m the most effective wrestlers and he’s not.”
UFC followers have combined emotions a few potential Pereira vs Chimaev showdown
From even the briefest scroll by way of a few of the feedback, it’s apparent that MMA followers have combined emotions concerning the rumored gentle heavyweight title battle.
“That will be large — and gotta say I don’t see how Pereira can stand Khamzat takedowns,” wrote one fan on X, with one other including “This could be CRAZY if that is actual & truly one thing that occurs!”
That being stated, there are many followers who argue that such a matchup makes zero sense from both a divisional or promotional standpoint.
“This makes completely no sense for anybody concerned,” acknowledged one consumer, with one other sharing how “That’s value ducking Ankalaev, offers me conflicting emotions.”
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