In Las Vegas, you’ll find Alex Pereira, a man who doesn’t need to say much to make a big impact. Heading into his UFC 313 main event this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena, Pereira (with a record of 12-2 in MMA and 9-1 in UFC) finds himself enjoying the prime of his career. He’s become a global sensation and arguably one of the biggest cash draws in the promotion, apart from Jon Jones, and he’s pretty comfortable with that recognition.
“I think so,” Pereira commented during a Wednesday news conference, with the help of an interpreter, when journalists from MMA Junkie and other outlets inquired if he considered himself the biggest star in the sport. “This year has been packed with achievements. By continuing to focus on my journey, I believe it to be true.”
With his current position in the fighting world, Pereira is well aware of the kind of spotlight a mega fight could cast on him—both in terms of fame and financial gain. Yet, he’s careful not to overlook his immediate opponent, Magomed Ankalaev. Still, Pereira does hint at the exciting prospects that lie ahead if he secures a win over the formidable Russian challenger.
“I’m keeping my focus here,” Pereira mentioned. “I haven’t really thought about other things greatly. But looking forward, there are certainly intriguing options like Dricus Du Plessis, Jon Jones, or even a boxing match with Oleksandr Usyk. Those would be exciting, but ultimately it’s up to the UFC to decide. Whatever they want, I’m in.”
Awaiting him, however, is Ankalaev (holding a 20-1-1 record in MMA and 11-1-1 in UFC), who is regarded by many as the most formidable opponent Pereira will have faced. Pereira gets why fans are so intrigued by this matchup.
“Absolutely, if I were just a spectator, I’d be eager to see this fight,” Pereira acknowledged. “It’s a classic striker versus grappler scenario, on paper at least. As a fighter, I’ve been eager for this showdown myself. Ankalaev is not just a wrestler; he’s well-rounded. But I’ve been gearing up for this. My wrestling and grappling training began even before my UFC days, back when I started working with Glover Teixeira in Connecticut. I’m ready for what’s ahead.”
For additional insights on this event, make sure to check out MMA Junkie’s dedicated hub for UFC 313. Remember, discussions and updates on this and all things MMA can also be found on the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel, where fans engage and share their passion for mixed martial arts.
