Overview

• Alex Pereira declared his intention to return to the UFC after a recovery period for injuries and fatigue from his 2024 campaign.
• He and champion Magomed Ankalaev are in negotiations for a second light heavyweight showdown, despite Ankalaev’s claims that Pereira has retired.
• No official date is confirmed for the rematch, with September’s UFC 319 or an October card in Abu Dhabi emerging as leading contenders.
• Israel Adesanya publicly backed Pereira’s bid for redemption, praising his improvements and predicting another tough encounter.
• UFC president Dana White confirmed Pereira’s openness to heavyweight fights, and Chael Sonnen offered to champion a move to 265 pounds if the rematch stalls.