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Alex Pereira is preventing for extra than simply his fourth title protection this weekend (Sat., March 1, 2025) when he takes on Fight Sambo ace Magomed Ankalaev within the UFC 313 principal occasion. If “Poatan” performs his playing cards proper, he may additionally rating a UFC Heavyweight title shot, in addition to a doable tremendous battle versus present large man roost-ruler Jon Jones.
That’s in line with UFC CEO Dana White.
There are a variety of transferring elements to contemplate when planning the futures of two separate divisions. At the start, White’s objective is to get “Bones” booked in opposition to interim Heavyweight king Tom Aspinall, and he’s focusing on a summer season date for that extremely anticipated match up.
“The plan is to battle Jon this summer season,” White defined on The Jim Rome Present (through MMAFighting). “Clearly, when, the place and all that stuff is being decided. My objective this 12 months is to make that battle [with] Aspinall.”
Jones vs. Aspinall is likely one of the most demanded fights doable proper now, broadly thought-about essentially the most harmful menace to Jones’ (practically) undefeated report in a few years. Unifying the Heavyweight crown is a should, however afterwards, there’s a gap for Pereira to leap into title competition in a 3rd weight class.
“The opposite factor about Pereira that everyone loves is, this man desires to go as much as heavyweight and battle at heavyweight, too,” White mentioned. “I’m the one which’s truly holding him again on that.”
He continued, “He desires to [fight Jon Jones]. Let’s see how this battle performs out, if he wins, how he wins, all that form of stuff … I feel that the battle that everyone desires to see proper now could be Jones and Aspinall after which there’s little question that Pereira may battle the winner.”
No matter who’s victorious between Jones and Aspinall, a match up versus a defending “Poatan” can be completely large. No person has ever even tried to seize a 3rd UFC title, not to mention whereas being essentially the most thrilling knockout artist within the sport. That’s the form of headliner that makes for the PPV of the 12 months.
If Pereira can get by Ankalaev on Saturday, not less than.
Insomnia
What’s your tackle the TKO/Turki Alalshikh partnership? Will it disrupt boxing, enhancing matchmaking, each, or neither?
We’ve a belt … it is just 103 years outdated. It’s the identical belt Rocky gained and Joe Louis and even Muhammad Ali who you point out. https://t.co/EhHgAtUIzN
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) March 5, 2025
I assumed as a normal rule, the fight sports activities neighborhood has agreed to not drug take a look at kickboxing.
Jean Silva is aware of find out how to market his fights (except for merely being extraordinarily entertaining).
Certainly one of lately, Daniel Cormer goes to throw his again out capturing singles on Alex Pereira.
The newest Final Fighter (TUF) winner Ryan Loder returns in opposition to 19-3 Azamat Bekoev.
Based mostly on latest officiating, UFC referees would let this fly with a warning.
Mauricio Ruffy named himself after an anime character, and he’s preventing a person who renamed himself King. MMA isn’t actual!
Mauricio Ruffy reveals that his final title isn’t Ruffy and was impressed by his favorite character, Monkey D. Luffy, within the anime ‘One Piece’ (through @ufc) pic.twitter.com/fTPQNudVwG
— House of Combat (@Home_of_Fight) March 5, 2025
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Straight proper contained in the left hook, an everlasting battle.
Completely devious single leg guard play!
Two of one of the best Lightweights of their period completely throwing down!
Random Land
Magnificence on the backside of the Grand Canyon.
Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 1996
Sleep effectively Maniacs! Extra martial arts insanity is all the time on the way in which.