Alex Pereira reportedly in talks to grapple fellow UFC star who Arman Tsarukyan failed to beat

Alex Pereira’s strive in opposition to sports return could per chance strategy a ways flung from the Octagon.

The UFC light heavyweight champion is yet to earn his subsequent strive in opposition to on MMA’s supreme stage confirmed, as he continues to push for a heavyweight debut.

Pereira knocked out Magomed Ankalaev final October to right quick revenge on the Dagestani for the end result that temporarily removed ‘Poatan’ from the 205-pound throne earlier in the yr.

In 2026, the Brazilian star is eyeing a tidy-strive in opposition to with Jon Jones at heavyweight or a historical probability to ranking a Third title in the division.

But while he awaits news of that from the promotion, he is reportedly exploring a probability in other places for his first time out of this yr…

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‘Negotiations ongoing’ for Alex Pereira vs Shara Magomedov grappling match

Fixed with a most up-to-date interview, talks are underway for Pereira to potentially face UFC middleweight Shara Magomedov in a grappling match.

The Russian’s manager, Rizvan Magomedov, addressed that probability while talking to SPORT24.

After the interviewer referenced quotes from ‘Bullet’ himself that first printed the talks, his manager confirmed that negotiations are “ongoing.”

“I mediate Shara is quietly transitioning from a striker to a wrestler,” Magomedov mentioned in Russian (h/t Crimson Nook MMA).

“Referring to his strive in opposition to (in opposition to Pereira), we’re looking ahead to a date. Ideally an tournament in the Middle East or in other places.

“He’s filling his free time with these types of suits,” he added. “This could occasionally be attention-grabbing to salvage the strive in opposition to. It’s essentially two strikers, two specialized strikers, who will be struggling with.

“The negotiations are ongoing.”

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Shara Magomedov fought to a intention in opposition to Arman Tsarukyan

If the rumored match does intention to fruition, ‘Poatan’ will be taking a look to build what Arman Tsarukyan could per chance now not.

After going 4-0 in grappling suits final yr, Tsarukyan failed to beat Magomedov in his final time out of 2025. The Armenian couldn’t salvage the submission, and so his bout with ‘Bullet’ used to be dominated a intention.

The UFC light-weight contender had previously overwhelmed Benson Henderson, Patricky Pitbull,  Mehdi Baydulaev, and Makkasharip Zaynukov in 2025.

Many UFC warring parties are getting active a ways flung from the Octagon, competing in promotions love True American Freestyle and Hype FC while they sit up for their subsequent MMA assignments.