Featured Image Credit: UFC
Topics: UFC, Dana White
Josh Lawless
Alex Pereira has named the superfight he wants after a devastating first round victory against Magomed Ankalaev in the main heavyweight of UFC 320.
The Brazilian suffered his second defeat in UFC to Ankalaev back in March, losing his light heavyweight title via unanimous decision after five gruelling rounds.
However, he avenged that loss and became a two-time light heavyweight champion in stunning fashion in Saturday night, stopping Ankalaev inside the first round via TKO (technical knockout) following a barrage of brutal strikes.
Pereira bagged a Performance of the Night bonus on top of his UFC main event fight purse as a result of his monumental win.
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In the light heavyweight division, Pereira is not short of potential challengers going forward - with both Carlos Ulberg and Jiri Prochazka - who fought Poatan twice in losing efforts.
Prochazka's only two losses in the Octagon have came at the hands of Pereira and he has regained momentum with two consecutive victories, including a knockout win over Khalil Rountree Jr on Saturday night.
But Pereira has other ideas as after conquering at middleweight and light heavyweight, he wants to make the step up to heavyweight and fight former champion and legend Jon Jones on the mammoth White House bill.
When asked about the possibility of taking on the winner of the heavyweight title on UFC's Last Fight show, Pereira replied: "No, I want a superfight. It would be at the White House against Jon Jones. That's a superfight."
Pereira has spoken of his desire to face two-weight world champion Jones before and honoured 'Bones' late brother Arthur with a moment of silence in his post-match interview with Joe Rogan.
Jones reacted on social media, appreciating the words and gesture by writing, "Wow Alex" alongside a prayer emoji.
After the card, UFC president Dana White was asked about Pereira's plan to move up to heavyweight.
Revealing that he and his team told White as much at the UFC Performance Institute prior to recapturing light heavyweight gold, the 56-year-old was unsure about stepping up being the right call.
He explained: "I don't know. There's still fights here in this division but we'll see. This guy has been an absolute stud for us. He fights when he's hurt, he doesn't care and wants to fight everybody.
"He's a dream to have in this organisation.
"He was a middleweight and he's going to jump up two weight classes in the UFC? It's not like jumping up two weight classes in boxing. It's a big jump.
"It's not that I have any reservations about it, he's in a division where there's still some interesting fights. We'll see and we'll have to talk about it.
"Unless he wants to retire, I don't see why throwing him in at heavyweight makes any sense."
Though he has competed with injuries, Pereira will likely take some time away from the Octagon after suffering what he believes is a "broken" foot which resulted in him wearing a boot for his post-fight media duties.
Pereira claims he suffered the break when he kicked Ankalaev's lead leg after his opponent switched stances.
Though not a major setback, Pereira will still have a period of rest and will be unable to kick in training for a short while.