The UFC’s light heavyweight division is buzzing with intrigue, speculation, and a dash of bravado following Alex Pereira’s emphatic first-round finish over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 last weekend. Pereira, now firmly back on his 205-pound throne, has found himself the center of attention as contenders and champions from multiple weight classes line up for a shot at the man known as “Poatan.” But as the dust settles on his latest triumph, it’s not just the usual suspects vying for a crack at the belt—there’s a heavyweight twist, a potential superfight, and some sage advice from a fellow competitor that’s got the MMA world talking.
After Pereira’s victory in the main event, the list of challengers formed quickly. Carlos Ulberg and two-time former foe Jiri Prochazka wasted no time throwing their hats into the ring. Yet, it was the unexpected callout from UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev that really set tongues wagging. Chimaev, fresh off his own dominant title-winning performance, took to social media on Sunday with a bold challenge: “I’m ready to fight you in the heavyweight [division], you won’t find a super fight [bigger] than our fight no chama this is SMASH EVERYBODY.”
Chimaev’s bravado is nothing new to fight fans—he’s built his reputation on both his relentless fighting style and his penchant for headline-grabbing statements. After capturing the UFC middleweight strap in August by dominating Dricus Du Plessis, Chimaev has only further cemented his status as one of the sport’s most feared and unpredictable competitors. With previous wars against elite ground fighters like Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns, “Borz” has shown he’s not afraid to take on any challenge, regardless of size or reputation.
But Pereira, at 38 years old and with a storied career behind him, appears to have other plans. Rather than accepting Chimaev’s challenge, the Brazilian knockout artist is eyeing a legacy-defining bout of a different kind: a superfight against the legendary Jon Jones. And not just anywhere—Pereira has set his sights on the White House as the proposed venue for June 2026, a spectacle that would surely capture the imagination of fight fans and casual observers alike.
While the prospect of a Pereira vs. Chimaev showdown has fans salivating, not everyone in the MMA community thinks it’s the wisest move for the newly minted light heavyweight king. Enter Beneil Dariush, a veteran competitor and respected voice in the sport. On October 11, 2025, Dariush sat down with reporter Helen Yee to share his thoughts on the current state of the UFC’s championship landscape—and he didn’t mince words when it came to the idea of Pereira taking on Chimaev.
“For Pereira, I would actually like to see him go fight a big fight like the Jon Jones fight or something,” Dariush remarked in his interview. “I feel like he is 38, he is considering retiring. I don’t want him to get mauled by Khamzat. I’m just being honest. I just wanna see Pereira ride off into the sunset with a big fight, a big paycheck…”
Dariush’s concern isn’t just about age or legacy; it’s about the stylistic nightmare that Chimaev presents. As a fellow wrestler, Dariush knows better than most how matchups can make or break champions. He elaborated, “The way Khamzat wrestles is very different than the way Ankalaev wrestles. Ankalaev seems to me more of Greco style, more body locks, he doesn’t commit so much. Khamzat completely commits.”
And that’s no idle observation. While Ankalaev’s approach is measured and technical, Chimaev’s relentless, suffocating pressure has overwhelmed even the most accomplished grapplers. Dariush’s assessment is rooted in experience—he’s seen firsthand how Chimaev’s style can break the will of his opponents. It’s a style that, in Dariush’s eyes, could spell disaster for Pereira, especially as the Brazilian enters the twilight of his career.
Of course, MMA is a sport built on risk and reward, and Pereira has never been one to shy away from a challenge. But with retirement potentially looming and the lure of a blockbuster payday against Jon Jones, it’s hard to argue with Dariush’s logic. A fight with Jones would not only be a historic meeting of champions from different eras and weight classes, but it could also provide Pereira the storybook ending every fighter dreams of—a chance to go out on top, on his own terms.
Meanwhile, the ever-ambitious Chimaev finds himself at a crossroads. Having conquered the middleweight division, his appetite for super fights and new challenges shows no sign of waning. His callout of Pereira, though rebuffed, signals his intent to chase greatness wherever he can find it. Whether he eventually gets his wish remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain: “Borz” isn’t going anywhere.
As for Dariush, his own journey continues. After rebounding from back-to-back losses with a unanimous decision win over Renato “Money” Moicano at UFC 317 in June 2025, the veteran lightweight is set for another high-stakes matchup. He’s currently booked to face France’s Benoit St. Denis—nicknamed the “French finishing machine”—at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York. It’s a bout that promises fireworks and could have major implications for the division.
The shifting sands of the UFC’s championship picture are nothing new, but this latest flurry of callouts, challenges, and strategic maneuvering feels especially electric. Will Pereira get his wish for a White House superfight with Jon Jones? Can Chimaev force his way into the light heavyweight title picture, or will he have to bide his time for another opportunity? And will Dariush’s advice prove prescient, or will the allure of one last test draw Pereira into the lion’s den once more?
Only time will tell, but for now, the UFC faithful are left to speculate, debate, and dream about what comes next. With legends in the making and legacies on the line, the road to June 2026—and beyond—looks as unpredictable and thrilling as ever.
As the MMA world waits for official announcements, all eyes remain on Pereira, Chimaev, and the ever-candid Dariush. Whatever happens next, it’s clear that the light heavyweight division—and the UFC as a whole—is in for a wild ride.
