Welcome to Midnight Mania! This weekend, March 1, 2025, Alex Pereira is gearing up for much more than just another title defense. As he steps into the octagon against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, he’s not only defending his crown for the fourth time but also setting his sights on an exciting opportunity—a potential shot at the UFC Heavyweight title and possibly even a high-stakes showdown with the current heavyweight maestro, Jon Jones.
That’s right! Straight from the mouth of UFC’s Dana White, there are indeed intriguing opportunities on the horizon. The dynamics of managing two divisions are complex, with White’s primary objective being to line up a summer clash between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall—the interim Heavyweight champ.
“The plan is to get Jon into the ring this summer,” White revealed during his chat on The Jim Rome Show. “The when and where are still in the works, but making this fight against Aspinall is a major goal for the year.”
The anticipation for the Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall bout is sky-high, with fans eagerly considering it one of the fiercest challenges to Jones’ nearly impeccable record. Once the heavyweight title is unified, Pereira could emerge as a contender in this third division, building a legendary status.
White divulges, “What’s fascinating about Pereira is his keenness to move up to heavyweight. I’ve been holding him back from that jump. He’s eager to take on Jon Jones.”
He elaborated further: “Let’s assess how Pereira’s upcoming fight goes, evaluate if he wins, and in what manner. Jones vs. Aspinall is the matchup people are buzzing about right now, but there’s no question Pereira could face the victor next.”
Regardless of who clinches victory between Jones and Aspinall, a bout with the defending Pereira promises fireworks. It’s a historic moment waiting to happen as no one has ever aimed for a third UFC title in such style. Such an event would surely be a headliner for the pay-per-view, potentially the highlight of the year.
But, Pereira needs to get past Ankalaev first this Saturday.
There’s also buzz about UFC 313’s electrifying lineup! Notably, the heavyweight title will see Alex Pereira face off against top contender Magomed Ankalaev. Plus, excitement builds for the rematch between crowd favorite Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev after Dan Hooker’s unfortunate withdrawal. Mark your calendars for March 8, 2025—the night promises unforgettable UFC action from Las Vegas starting at 6:30 p.m. ET for the prelims and 10 p.m. ET for the main card.
In the broader world of combat sports, there’s talk regarding TKO’s partnership with Turki Alalshikh and its potential impact on boxing matchups.
In a lighter twist, the quirks of the fight scene were highlighted with mentions of personalities like Mauricio Ruffy, inspired by his anime love, and Daniel Cormer’s dedication despite potential pitfalls.
For fight enthusiasts out there, the arena is buzzing with potential and excitement. Until next round, rest up and be ready for more thrilling martial arts action.
