Report: Alex Pereira vs. Alexander Volkov debunked, ‘Poatan’ to defend title against Magomed Ankalaev next

Fight fans were recently led to believe that UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will move up to fight heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov at UFC 313 this March, but “Poatan” will in fact stay at 205 pounds and finally defend his belt against Magomed Ankalaev next.

There’s been a lot of uncertainty surrounding Pereira and his plans for 2025. The reigning UFC light heavyweight king turned in one of the best years ever with a sensational 2024 campaign, but fight fans don’t really know what to expect this year from the imposing Brazilian striker. That’s because UFC’s light heavyweight division is short on top contenders and only has one or two suitable names that “Poatan” has yet to face. In turn, Pereira has teased a potential move up to heavyweight to try to become the first three-division champion in UFC history.

On Friday, a report began to circulate that Pereira will move up to heavyweight to challenge Volkov at UFC 313 on Mar. 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fight fans were a bit shocked because the two fighters have never been linked before, but Volkov is one of the top contenders in the UFC’s heavyweight division so it would have made some sense if Pereira was in fact abandoning the 205-pound division.

However, veteran MMA journalist, Ariel Helwani, later debunked the rumor and confirmed that Pereira will stay at light heavyweight and meet Ankalaev his next time out. Helwani also spoke to Pereira’s team and they confirmed that the UFC champion will need “at least six months” to plan a move up to heavyweight.

Check it out below and let us know if you’re excited or disappointed that Pereira vs. Volkov is no longer a thing:

“Alex Pereira’s next opponent will be Magomed Ankalaev, per sources. That’s the plan.

“No plans of him moving to heavyweight any time soon. In fact, per his team, he’ll need at least six months to move up the way they want him to.”

Fellow MMA journalist, Kevin Iole, also chimed in to confirm that the rumored heavyweight bout between Pereira and Volkov was nothing more than hearsay. See below:

“No truth to the rumor of Pereira versus Volkov. Zero. Move on.”