Magomed Ankalaev says Alex Pereira’s business with him is not settled, and the former light heavyweight champion has made it clear he still wants another fight — even if that means meeting again at heavyweight.
That keeps one of UFC’s most high-profile rivalries alive after a run of title fights that has already crossed weight classes. Ankalaev beat Pereira for the light heavyweight strap at UFC 313, before Pereira turned the tables in their rematch at UFC 320. After that, Pereira vacated his title and moved up to chase a third belt at 265 pounds.
But the story has not ended there. Pereira came up short against Ciryl Gane at UFC White House, while Ankalaev has remained unbooked since his technical-knockout win over Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi last July.
Ankalaev wants the Pereira rematch
Ankalaev did not hide his view on where things stand. “His business with me isn’t settled at all,” he said, adding that what happened before was “a lucky punch” and that was how Pereira beat him.
He also said he wanted the rematch and believes the UFC could still make it happen in a different division. “We wanted Pereira and I wanted that rematch,” Ankalaev said. “I am doing a lot to get that fight, we even said that even if it’s in the heavyweight division, we can make it happen.”
That is the key point here: this is no longer just about the light heavyweight title. Pereira has already moved on to heavyweight, and Ankalaev is now openly pushing for the rivalry to follow him there if that is what it takes.
What happens next?
For now, Ankalaev is still waiting for his next booking, which only adds to the uncertainty around how soon this could be resolved. The UFC has options at the top end of the division, but this latest statement keeps Pereira-Ankalaev in the conversation regardless of where either man fights next.
It also underlines how quickly elite matchups can spill across divisions. If the promotion wants the rematch, Ankalaev has made it plain he is willing to chase it — even at heavyweight.
