Alex Pereira Teases Surprise Fight at UFC 312, Fuels Speculation

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has set the MMA world abuzz with a cryptic tease about a potential surprise fight at UFC 312. Although he has not confirmed who his opponent might be, Pereira’s social media post has ignited speculation about what could be one of the most shocking announcements in UFC history.

Pereira, who is one of the most electrifying stars in the sport, has long been a figure of intrigue within the UFC. His dramatic rise, particularly after his knockout victory over Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title, has captivated fans worldwide. Now, as UFC 312 approaches, many are wondering if the Brazilian fighter will make his return to the octagon. However, the details remain unclear, with Pereira hinting at something unexpected that could make UFC 312 one of the biggest events in the promotion’s history.

At present, UFC 312 is already stacked with a highly anticipated fight card. The event is scheduled to take place in Sydney, Australia, and will feature the current middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, defending his title against the formidable Dricus du Plessis. This clash is expected to headline the card, with both fighters having made their mark in the division. However, Pereira’s recent social media post has left fans wondering if he could also play a part in this fight night in some way, perhaps as a fighter or even as a cornerman for Strickland.

In addition to the Strickland-du Plessis matchup, UFC 312 will also feature another championship bout. UFC women’s strawweight champion, Weili Zhang, is set to defend her title against rising contender Tatiana Suarez, adding more excitement to the already stacked card. Should Pereira be added to the mix with a third title fight, UFC 312 could make history as the ninth UFC event to feature three championship bouts. The last time this occurred was UFC 261 in 2021, which also had three title fights on the same night. If UFC 300, which will feature two world championships and the BMF title fight, is considered, UFC 312 would mark the tenth such event in the promotion’s history.

With such an exciting lineup already in place, the question remains: what could Pereira be teasing? The speculation ranges from a showdown with the top-ranked light heavyweight contender, Magomed Ankalaev, to an unexpected move up to heavyweight for a potential fight with Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight title. The winner of that fight could face Jon Jones later in the year. Pereira, however, has already addressed the Ankalaev speculation, saying he would not be facing the Russian fighter in his next bout, leaving fans to wonder what else is in store.

A potential fight with Aspinall is an interesting possibility, though it seems unlikely. Pereira, who has dominated the light heavyweight division, may be considering a move up to heavyweight, but whether that will happen at UFC 312 remains to be seen. If Pereira were to make that jump, it would represent a major shift in his career and could set the stage for a high-profile clash with one of the top contenders in the division.

On the other hand, another far more unexpected scenario has also emerged. Pereira has been linked to a potential boxing match with none other than internet personality-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The idea of Pereira stepping into the boxing ring against Paul is something that has caught the attention of combat sports fans, and it’s not the first time that Paul has called out the UFC champion. In fact, Paul has made repeated attempts to secure a boxing match with Pereira, with the two even having a FaceTime exchange in the ring during a UFC event in July.

Could this be the big surprise Pereira is teasing? UFC president Dana White recently mentioned that he was working on something that no one would expect, and given the rise of crossover events in combat sports, this could be a sign of something bigger brewing. There’s also been ongoing speculation about a potential boxing match between UFC superstar Conor McGregor and Logan Paul, so Dana White’s cryptic comment has only fueled the fire of speculation. Could this surprise announcement involve Pereira stepping out of the UFC and into the boxing ring for a fight with Jake Paul?

If Pereira does indeed face Paul in a boxing match at UFC 312, it would undoubtedly be one of the biggest pay-per-view events in combat sports history. The crossover appeal between MMA and boxing, combined with the growing fame of both Pereira and Paul, could result in massive ticket sales and an unprecedented level of attention. It could also set a new precedent for future cross-disciplinary matchups in the world of combat sports.

However, the idea of Pereira fighting Paul is still a bit far-fetched. The UFC has long been hesitant to allow its fighters to participate in boxing bouts, especially against non-professional boxers. Still, combat sports have seen the rise of unexpected events, and what once seemed improbable—such as Jake Paul’s boxing career—has now become a reality. The notion of Pereira facing Paul might sound unrealistic to some, but in the ever-evolving world of combat sports, stranger things have happened.

As the New Year approaches, all eyes will be on Pereira to see what he has in store for UFC 312. Whether he defends his title against Ankalaev, steps up to heavyweight for a showdown with Aspinall, or takes on Jake Paul in a boxing match, one thing is certain: UFC 312 is shaping up to be an event like no other. Fans can only wait in anticipation as more details are revealed in the coming weeks, with Pereira’s big announcement likely to dominate the headlines in the lead-up to the fight card.