Newly crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira doesn’t see former titleholder Jamahal Hill as the greatest threat to his reign.
Pereira began a fresh era at 205 pounds earlier this month at UFC 295. While “Poatan” previously won the middleweight belt at Madison Square Garden, he achieved further success at the prestigious venue in New York City by stopping Jiří Procházka.
In a recent YouTube video, Alex Pereira revealed which opponent he would like to face in his first UFC light heavyweight title defense.
Alex Pereira won the vacant UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Jiri Prochazka by TKO in the main event of UFC 295. After the event, UFC President Dana White mentioned the number 1 Jamahal Hill for the Brazilian’s first belt defense. Hill became champion in January 2023 with a big win over Glover Teixeira. However, the American injured his Achilles tendon and left his title vacant.
During his induction into the Kickboxing Hall of Glory, Alex Pereira seemed excited to face Jamahal Hill in his first defense: “If I compare these three fighters: Jamahal (Hill), Jan and Jiri, and someone said to me : ‘Hey, pick whoever you’d like to fight’, I would pick Jamahal because he’s the strongest. I would choose Jamahal because I think he is a good opponent for me. »
Alex Pereira changes his mind
However, the Brazilian seems to have changed his mind. He spoke in a video posted on his YouTube channel:
“I heard a lot of people say Magaomed Ankalaev would be a bad match for me, I like that. Hill would be a better match, of course. I always think about victory. It wouldn’t be a foregone conclusion, but it would be better for me. Ankalaev would be more difficult. I think it’s a very good challenge for me. It would be more difficult, I agree, but I train hard. I evolve with each session. I would also have a strategy for Ankalaev, of course. If I had to choose, I would prefer him to Hill. »
My full reaction after the UFC 295 Main Event!!! I got what I wanted!!! https://t.co/VxxD3YT4M8
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) November 17, 2023
While many are expecting Hill to return from injury straight into a championship fight, having vacated the belt following a torn Achilles tendon, “Poatan” told his viewers that he’d choose to battle the “more difficult” challenge presented by Magomed Ankalaev.
“I’ve heard a lot of people saying that, that he (Ankalaev) would be a bad fight for me. I like that,” Pereira said. “If I had both available today, Hill or Ankalaev, to choose one of the two, thinking like that, Hill would be a better fight, of course, always thinking about victory. It wouldn’t be guaranteed, but it would be better for me.
“Ankalaev would be more difficult. I think it’s a very good challenge for me. It would be a more difficult guy, I also agree, but I’m training very well, evolving in my training. I would also have a strategy for Ankalaev,” Pereira continued. “If I were to choose, I would choose him instead of Hill.” (h/t Ag. Fight)
Ankalaev sits two places below Hill at #3 in the rankings. The Russian has had a difficult time of things recently, starting with a disappointing majority draw in his title fight against Jan Błachowicz last December at UFC 282.
In his attempt to bounce back and secure a second championship opportunity last month in Abu Dhabi, an illegal knee thrown at Johnny Walker resulted in a No Contest.
While the Russian contender prepares to run it back with Walker in early 2024, “Sweet Dreams” will be hard at work pursuing full fitness, as he looks to regain his place on the throne next year.
