_Aleksey_Funtap_Alamy.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale#)
Alex Pereira threatens Dana White with UFC retirement following rocky conversations with promotion
Alex Pereira has shockingly revealed that he is considering leaving MMA for good. Pereira hasn’t fought since dropping his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March. Pereira was dethroned by Ankalaev at UFC 313 in MarchGetty He suffered a unanimous decision defeat to the Russian in the main event of the Las Vegas card, but it seemed like both men were destined to rematch as soon as possible due to their reactions in the aftermath of the card. However, in a shocking turn of events, Brazilian superstar Pereira has threatened UFC CEO Dana White by saying that he has considered ‘not fighting anymore’ in what would be a huge blow to the promotion. “I always answered the UFC’s calls,” he wrote on X. “But if they want to play with me, we can do that. I’ve never spoken poorly of the UFC but with what I’ve just heard I’m disheartened. “I’ve already had thoughts of not fighting anymore, and after what was just relayed to me this may be the start.” The 37-year-old was undefeated at light heavyweight before locking horns with Ankalaev. The loss meant his hopes of a future blockbuster with Jon Jones had come to an abrupt end after months of teasing a move to the heavyweight division. ‘Poatan’ had bounced back from losing the UFC middleweight title to Israel Adesanya to go on a tear at 205lbs. He finished 2024 having defended the heavyweight title three times, knocking out fighters including Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill. However, his defeat at UFC 313 left him in a position of needing to beat Ankalaev in a rematch to pursue a future in the heavyweight division. Pereira was unbeatable in the light heavyweight division before his fight with AnkalaevGetty Speaking after the Las Vegas card, UFC CEO White said Pereira will ‘probably’ get an immediate rematch. Pereira, meanwhile, talked up the rematch in his post-fight reaction on social media. “[I’m] gonna rest a bit. I’ll be back like I’ve always done. This has already happened, but I’m good,” he said. “I’m grateful for all your support, for all your love [and] always supporting me. “I’m receiving so many messages of great encouragement. I’m here with my people: my family, my team, my children. “Everyone’s here. Everyone’s here with me. I’m gonna have some pizza. That’s that, life continues. Pereira has knocked out some of the toughest fighters in the worldGetty “[I’m] gonna make some adjustments for the rematch and I’ll be back much better. You can count on it. “All good everyone. Never give up on your dreams. Chama.” But for now, it seems like Pereira is extremely frustrated at not getting an imminent rematch. Should the Brazilian follow through on his threat to quit the UFC, there would be no shortage of suitors wanting to have him fight on their respective promotion. However, he could take a completely alternative route to continue his combat career. Ahead of his defeat to Ankalaev at UFC 313, Pereira was asked about who he would like to face next had he got past the Russian. Pereira name-dropped UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and Jones but added another staggering name to his potential hit-list in the form of unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. “Those I see possibly happening, it doesn’t depend on me it depends on the UFC, so whatever the UFC want me to do I will do it,” Pereira added. Usyk, 38, holds the IBO, WBC and WBO world heavyweight titles and will look to re-add the IBF world heavyweight crown to his collection when he takes on Daniel Dubois at Wembley on July 19. But after they contest the rematch, Usyk could look to take on a money-spinning exhibition bout against Pereira. There may be merit to the idea given UFC president White has joined forces with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh to spearhead a new boxing venture. When asked for his response to the news of White dipping his toes into the boxing world, Pereira expressed his excitement and even dropped a hint about where and when his dream bout against Usyk would happen. “Absolutely, I was hyped,” Pereira said. “I was happy when I heard the news. Who knows, September, Saudi Arabia.”
Alex Pereira has shockingly revealed that he is considering leaving MMA for good.
Pereira hasn’t fought since dropping his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March.
He suffered a unanimous decision defeat to the Russian in the main event of the Las Vegas card, but it seemed like both men were destined to rematch as soon as possible due to their reactions in the aftermath of the card.
However, in a shocking turn of events, Brazilian superstar Pereira has threatened UFC CEO Dana White by saying that he has considered ‘not fighting anymore’ in what would be a huge blow to the promotion.
“I always answered the UFC’s calls,” he wrote on X.
“But if they want to play with me, we can do that. I’ve never spoken poorly of the UFC but with what I’ve just heard I’m disheartened.
“I’ve already had thoughts of not fighting anymore, and after what was just relayed to me this may be the start.”
The 37-year-old was undefeated at light heavyweight before locking horns with Ankalaev.
The loss meant his hopes of a future blockbuster with Jon Jones had come to an abrupt end after months of teasing a move to the heavyweight division.
‘Poatan’ had bounced back from losing the UFC middleweight title to Israel Adesanya to go on a tear at 205lbs.
He finished 2024 having defended the heavyweight title three times, knocking out fighters including Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill.
However, his defeat at UFC 313 left him in a position of needing to beat Ankalaev in a rematch to pursue a future in the heavyweight division.
Speaking after the Las Vegas card, UFC CEO White said Pereira will ‘probably’ get an immediate rematch.
Pereira, meanwhile, talked up the rematch in his post-fight reaction on social media.
“[I’m] gonna rest a bit. I’ll be back like I’ve always done. This has already happened, but I’m good,” he said.
“I’m grateful for all your support, for all your love [and] always supporting me.
“I’m receiving so many messages of great encouragement. I’m here with my people: my family, my team, my children.
“Everyone’s here. Everyone’s here with me. I’m gonna have some pizza. That’s that, life continues.
“[I’m] gonna make some adjustments for the rematch and I’ll be back much better. You can count on it.
“All good everyone. Never give up on your dreams. Chama.”
But for now, it seems like Pereira is extremely frustrated at not getting an imminent rematch.
Should the Brazilian follow through on his threat to quit the UFC, there would be no shortage of suitors wanting to have him fight on their respective promotion.
However, he could take a completely alternative route to continue his combat career.
Ahead of his defeat to Ankalaev at UFC 313, Pereira was asked about who he would like to face next had he got past the Russian.
Pereira name-dropped UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and Jones but added another staggering name to his potential hit-list in the form of unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
“Those I see possibly happening, it doesn’t depend on me it depends on the UFC, so whatever the UFC want me to do I will do it,” Pereira added.
Usyk, 38, holds the IBO, WBC and WBO world heavyweight titles and will look to re-add the IBF world heavyweight crown to his collection when he takes on Daniel Dubois at Wembley on July 19.
But after they contest the rematch, Usyk could look to take on a money-spinning exhibition bout against Pereira.
There may be merit to the idea given UFC president White has joined forces with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh to spearhead a new boxing venture.
When asked for his response to the news of White dipping his toes into the boxing world, Pereira expressed his excitement and even dropped a hint about where and when his dream bout against Usyk would happen.
“Absolutely, I was hyped,” Pereira said.
“I was happy when I heard the news. Who knows, September, Saudi Arabia.”
