UFC 320 headliner Alex Pereira is ready to step into the spotlight as the UFC prepares for its historic White House event. With Conor McGregor confirming his fight against Michael Chandler, the stage seems set, but history has proven that McGregor’s comebacks do not always go as expected. So now, Pereira’s reply when asked if he’d step in hints he could be the unexpected solution to a potentially explosive situation.

Alex Pereira’s record as a UFC savior is well known. When ‘The Notorious’ withdrew from UFC 303 because of a broken toe, ‘Poatan’ accepted the short-notice main event fight against Jiri Prochazka, defending his light heavyweight title with only 15 days to prepare. His performance not only impressed fans but also drew praise from Dana White, who described Pereira’s willingness to fight on such short notice as nothing short of miraculous. “When everything seemed dim for the UFC and the MMA community, Pereira stepped in,” White said.

“Dana White’s war room has done some miracles in the past, and this seems to continue now as well… Pereira took the fight with just 15 days’ notice,” he further added. That moment solidified Pereira’s reputation as a fighter who thrives under pressure and is ready to step up when the promotion needs him the most.

So even though Alex Pereira is focused on his title shot against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on October 4, he is aiming to reclaim the light heavyweight belt he lost at UFC 313. Still, the MMA world knows he could step in if Conor McGregor falters before the White House event. When asked by a journalist if he’d fight if the UFC called, Pereira simply replied, “Possible,” confirming his status as the UFC’s go-to backup once again.

Conor McGregor‘s return has generated a lot of buzz, but it has also created some doubt. While he confirmed in his latest Fox appearance that he is all set to fight, saying, “Done deal. Signed, delivered. McGregor will compete in the White House,” there is still a stench of mistrust in the air. His last UFC fight ended in disaster at UFC 264, when he injured his leg, and a scheduled contest against Michael Chandler was scrapped due to a broken toe.

The White House card is a historic opportunity for the Irishman, but there is always the chance that the headline act will fail to deliver. And that is exactly when Alex Pereira would swoop in once again, not just to save the massive UFC event, but to also claim a bonus that other fighters can only dream of.

Alex Pereira may get another big bonus for saving Dana White’s event

If history is any guide, Alex Pereira might once again profit handsomely if he is called upon to save the White House card. Back at UFC 303, he came in on only 15 days’ notice to fight Jiri Prochazka, turning a last-minute shuffle into a show-stopping knockout. That performance earned him not just acclaim, but also a post-fight bonus that showed both his skill and willingness to step up when the promotion needed him the most.

Plinio Cruz, Pereira’s coach, said how the UFC made it right: “He was talking to Dana in the back, and Dana said, ‘As a matter of fact, you won Performance of the Night.’ Alex asked, ‘$303,000?’ Dana said, ‘No, no, no, $50,000.’ But because of all their history and the short notice, Dana looked at him and said, ‘You know what, man? I’m going to take care of you. You’ve got the $303,000.’”

The story highlighted Dana White’s trust and regard for Alex Pereira’s ability to perform under pressure. Now, with Conor McGregor’s return to the White House still uncertain owing to his track record, ‘Poatan’ is ready as the ultimate backup. A call from Dana White might result in him not only saving the event’s success but also pocketing another substantial payday, proving once again that when the UFC is in chaos, Pereira is a proven solution.