Oct 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Alex Pereira (blue gloves) reacts before the fight against Magomed Ankalaev (red gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

mma

Alex Pereira Next Fight – Carlos Ulberg, Jiri Prochazka Or Magomed Ankalaev; Who Will The UFC Line Up For The Next Shot At Poatan?

Championship reigns define themselves by the quality of challengers they face. Alex Pereira just reclaimed his light heavyweight throne with a devastating 80 second knockout of Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320. The Brazilian knockout artist erased the memory of his March loss in spectacular fashion. Pereira now holds the belt for the third time in his UFC career. His ability to bounce back from adversity showcases true championship mentality. The T-Mobile Arena crowd witnessed ‘Poatan’s’ power firsthand as he destroyed the champion. Now the big question emerges: who deserves the next crack at the newly crowned king?

The Alex Pereira next fight discussion has heated up immediately, with three legitimate contenders emerging. Carlos Ulberg represents the rising star ready to challenge established names. Jiri Prochazka just delivered a comeback knockout performance on the same card. And Magomed Ankalaev could argue for an immediate rematch despite the brutal loss. Each fighter brings a compelling case for why they should face Pereira next. Let’s break down each potential opponent and their chances of landing the coveted UFC title shot.

Carlos Ulberg: The Rising Contender Looking To Strike

Carlos Ulberg has quietly put together an impressive winning streak that demands attention. The New Zealand striker trains at City Kickboxing alongside former champions and top contenders. His striking credentials are impeccable, having competed in kickboxing at the highest levels. Ulberg’s recent UFC performance against Dominick Reyes showcased devastating knockout power and technical precision. Moreover, he has finished several opponents in spectacular fashion while climbing the light heavyweight rankings. The City Kickboxing connection adds an interesting wrinkle to this potential matchup.

CARLOS ULBERG SNAPS THE WINNING STREAK OF DOMINICK REYES WITH A HUGE RD1 KO pic.twitter.com/RY7dSM94LQ
— The MMA Archives (@Themmaarchives) September 28, 2025

In a backstage interview with Megan Olivi at UFC 320, Ulberg stated his desire to compete for the belt. However, he was okay with fighting whoever the UFC puts in front of him. It could be Pereira, it could be anyone else.

Ulberg and Pereira share similar striking backgrounds, setting up a potential kickboxing chess match. Both men possess one-shot knockout power that keeps opponents cautious and defensive. A fight between them would likely stay standing and deliver fireworks for the fans. However, Ulberg faces one significant obstacle. While his streak is impressive, he hasn’t defeated a top-five ranked opponent yet. Ulberg might need to face someone like Khalil Rountree Jr., or even Magomed Ankalaev before earning his championship opportunity.

Jiri Prochazka: The Former Champion With Unfinished Business

Jiri Prochazka delivered a statement performance at UFC 320 that thrust him back into title contention. His third-round knockout of Khalil Rountree Jr. came after losing the first two rounds clearly. The comeback victory extended his perfect UFC finishing rate and reminded everyone of his danger. Prochazka has already held the light heavyweight title and defeated quality opposition throughout his career. His two fights with Pereira remain fresh in fans’ memories, both ending in Pereira knockouts.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED ALWAYS WITH HIM 😳@Jiri_BJP earns the late knockout tonight to add another finish to his legacy!

[ #UFC320 | LIVE NOW on @ESPN PPV ] pic.twitter.com/ud243xI9QS
— UFC (@ufc) October 5, 2025

Talking to Megan Olivi backstage at UFC 320, Prochazka revealed that he will be ready for a third fight against Alex Pereira. He said that this fight would be either ‘win or die trying’ for him. Now, it is up to the UFC to set this matchup.

A trilogy fight with Pereira makes sense from multiple angles. Prochazka’s unorthodox style and willingness to engage creates must-see television. The Czech samurai has proven he can compete at the championship level despite coming up short previously. But does a third fight make sense when the first two ended in knockouts? The UFC might want to see Prochazka defeat another top contender before granting the trilogy shot.

Magomed Ankalaev: Does He Deserve An Immediate Rematch Against Alex Pereira?

Magomed Ankalaev’s case for an immediate rematch presents the most controversial option. He lost his championship in devastating fashion, getting knocked out in just 80 seconds. The Dagestani grappler had defeated Pereira via unanimous decision back in March to capture the belt. His first title defense ended in disaster before he could even establish himself as champion.

The argument against an immediate rematch is straightforward: the loss was too one sided and quick. Championship rematches typically happen after competitive fights with controversial decisions or late stoppages. Ankalaev got blitzed from the opening bell and never had a chance to implement his gameplan.

🚨MAGOMED ANKALAEV DEFEATS ALEX PEREIRA AND IS THE NEW LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION pic.twitter.com/8PXeaJWIfM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 9, 2025

An immediate rematch would feel unearned given how decisively the second fight concluded. Ankalaev would benefit from taking another fight to rebuild momentum and confidence. A victory over someone like Prochazka or Ulberg would earn him another shot eventually. The light heavyweight division has waited long enough for fresh title matchups rather than recycling the same fighters.

One of these fighters might be next for the title shot. Even though there are arguments against each of them, one of them might find themselves standing against Pereira soon! Or maybe, just maybe, Pereira might move up to heavyweight and two of these fight against each other!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Alex Pereira

Carlos Ulberg

Jiri Prochazka

Magomed Ankalaev

UFC 320

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!