The rallying cry ‘Chama’ is echoing across arenas, indelibly linked to the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira. Known as ‘Poatan’, Pereira’s remarkable performance in 2024 saw him clinching three wins and protecting his title on three occasions. Now as 2025 unfolds, the anticipation for his reappearance in the Octagon builds amongst fans.
Even though official schedules have yet to be chalked out, the Brazilian warrior has openly shared his desire to compete at UFC 313. UFC is priming itself to make this year even grander than the previous one, aiming to showcase desirable matches for the fans.
Supporters are buzzing with the prospect of a clash between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev. While Pereira has shown his willingness to return to the Octagon, UFC remains quiet about acknowledging the matchup or deciding on who will be the next adversary.
Pereira ascending his championship throne for the third time came by way of his triumph over Khalil Rountree at UFC 307. This almost made him the undisputed choice among the leading contenders of the division. Yet, one formidable opponent in Ankalaev stands tall, proving to be a substantial trial for Pereira.
Ankalaev, hailing from Russia, recently emerged victorious over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308, earning him a unanimous decision. The result has catapulted him into the number one contender spot. Eager fans remain on the edge, anticipating the light heavyweight champion’s subsequent strategy.
As spectators sit tight for an official announcement regarding Pereira’s upcoming combat, they are aware that any divulgement will engender massive exhilaration. For UFC 313, scheduled in March, UFC has enlisted 9 Brazilians to compete across 7 confirmed bouts.
Speculation is rife that the Brazilian light heavyweight champion Pereira might bag the headline spot in the event. However, such conjectures remain unconfirmed, maintaining the suspense over the ultimate lineup.
At the moment, the predefined contests include multiple weight categories. In Women’s Strawweight, Amanda Lemos is set to take on Iasmin Lucindo. The Flyweight division will see Bruno Gustavo da Silva pitted against Joshua Van.
Featherweight contenders Marion Santos and Francis Marshall are scheduled to face each other. In the Middleweight category, Osman Diaz and Djorden Ribeiro dos Santos are set for a duel. The Lightweight class will feature a matchup between Alex Morono and Carlos Leal.
The Middleweight division again will see a clash between Armen Petrosyan and Brunno Ferreira. The Heavyweight category will witness Jhonata Diniz stepping into the Octagon against Vitor Petrino.
Despite these confirmed encounters, it’s vital to remember that the lineup is by no means final. The nature of this sport is such that player injuries or other unforeseeable occurrences can introduce changes at any given time.
As such, the question of whether Alex Pereira will be at the forefront of the event still hangs in the balance. This ambiguity continues to contribute to the increased anticipation amongst UFC fans.
It is clear that as the sport of UFC grows and as fighters like Alex Pereira come to ascendance, the anticipation and excitement amongst fans continue to rise. The potential for new matchups, new strategies and shifting dynamics within the divisions all contribute towards making the sport thrilling and immensely satisfying to watch.