After his recent call-out of the UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion, fans want to know if Alex Pereira vs Khamzat Chimaev is officially happening next.
Chimaev called for a shot at Pereira’s 205-pound title, after previously stating he would be open to fighting ‘Poatan’ at heavyweight too.
Khamzat Chimaev Calls Out Alex Pereira
After Alex Pereira defeated Magomed Ankalaev in their UFC 320 rematch, UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev was quick to call him out.
At first, Chimaev called Pereira out for a heavyweight showdown, revealing that he would be willing to face ‘Poatan’ and jump up two weight classes.
Since then, ‘Borz’ has doubled down and now officially called Pereira out for a fight next. This time though, Chimaev has called the Brazilian out for a 205-pound clash for Pereira’s UFC Light-Heavyweight Title.
I'm ready to fight you in the heavyweight, you won't find a super fight than our fight no chama this is SMASH EVERYBODY 👊🏼
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) October 5, 2025
Chimaev is the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, but is yet to make his first defence of the 185-pound belt after ripping it from Dricus du Plessis in one-sided fashion at UFC 319 in August.
Both Chimaev and Pereira are in the top 10 UFC pound-for-pound rankings, so a fight between the pair would undoubtedly be one of the biggest of the entire year if it were to happen.
As well as being p4p stars, both fighters are huge draws too in their own right. Although Chimaev’s latest call out of Pereira is one he’s deadly serious about, it’s unlikely UFC President Dana White pays much attention to it.
Khamzat Chimaev wants to fight Alex Pereira next at 205 👀
“[Alex Pereira] is a very good matchup for me. They say he has a lot of power, but I’ve never been edged out in that area.”
(h/t @RedCorner_MMA)
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 15, 2025
Instead, White will undoubtedly have plans for Chimaev to make his first defence early in the New Year as one of the first shows on the new Paramount+ broadcast deal.
Similarly, Pereira will likely defend his 205-pound belt against Carlos Ulberg early next year, or perhaps even opt for a move up to heavyweight to challenge Tom Aspinall for heavyweight gold.
That being said, Pereira vs Chimaev is certainly a fight between two of the most followed UFC fighters that fans would want to see at some stage. Of that there is no question.
Is Alex Pereira vs Khamzat Chimaev Happening Next?
Although Khamzat Chimaev has called for a fight with Alex Pereira next, it is highly unlikely the fight actually happens.
It may well take place further down the line, but for now it seems highly unlikely that Chimaev will move straight up to light-heavyweight without even making a defence of his UFC Middleweight Title.
Similarly, Pereira has teased a move to heavyweight for some time now, so that may well be his next move.
UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall is open to the Alex Pereira clash, revealing on numerous occasions that he would be willing to fight the Brazilian if he were to make the move up to heavyweight.
Khamzat Chimaev announced he wants Alex Pereira at 205 lbs for his next fight 👀😳
Would be the greatest pre-fight staredown in UFC history 😂 pic.twitter.com/HBbrPcc76J
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) October 15, 2025
However, Pereira remains a 205-pound fighter for the time being and will likely continue his second reign as the king after winning back his UFC Light-Heavyweight Title.
Pereira defeated Magomed Ankalaev in their UFC 320 rematch inside one round, and will now focus on perhaps defending the belt against challengers such as Carlos Ulberg or even Jiri Prochazka again.
Khamzat Chimaev’s record is still one of the best in MMA today, but he perhaps needs a few more defences at middleweight before he can move on to these mammoth match-ups against some of the biggest names in the sport.
Although Alex Pereira vs Khamzat Chimaev is an incredibly appealing fight, it remains highly unlikely that it is next.
