It’s been less than a week since Alex Pereira registered a career-defining win at UFC 320, and Dana White has already given him his next assignment. After Magomed Ankalaev beat him at his own game in their initial encounter, ‘Poatan’ came back with the same kind of vengeance he did after his UFC 287 loss, and became a 2-time light heavyweight champion. Fans have been celebrating his return all week, and now there’s a special treat added to it!

The UFC is coming back to Brazil for a Fight Night in Rio this weekend. The card is looking good with three top-tier local veterans, including Vicente Luque, former champions Deiveson Figueiredo, and Charles Oliveira. There is good news for the fans: Alex Pereira will also be touching down this week in Rio de Janeiro, but not for a fight. Here’s what we know.

Alex Pereira will join Diego Lopes for a Q&A session before UFC Rio

Only one fighter in history has fought in the UFC back-to-back on the weekend, and that’s Khamzat Chimaev. And Alex Pereira is not going to do anything of the sort. Rather, the Brazilian ace will be making a public appearance before the weigh-ins for UFC Rio to interact with fans and media personnel. Joining him will be former featherweight title contender Diego Lopes on the Q&A panel.

This piece of information was brought to light by MMA Latinoamerica on X, claiming that Alex Pereira and Diego Lopes were added to the Fight Night event’s ancillary shows. There are a few more prominent names making appearances on the show, such as Norma Dumont and Gilbert ‘Durinho’ Burns. It surely will be a treat for the fans in Rio de Janeiro.

Alex Pereira will not only be interacting with the fans in Rio de Janeiro, but will also be supporting his comrade Charles Oliveira, who’ll be heading into the fight against Mateusz Gamrot riding a KO loss. Ahead of his fight, ‘Do Bronxs’ took the opportunity to comment on Pereira’s UFC future, especially about ‘Poatan’s wish to fight Jon Jones, which he’s “apprehensive” about.

UFC Rio main eventer ‘apprehensive’ about Pereira vs. Jon Jones

Alex Pereira’s career-defining win has the champ looking ahead to the next challenge. He’s made it clear that there is no scope for a trilogy against Magomed Ankalaev after the 85-second win. And despite Dana White claiming that there are a few more fights at 205lbs left for him, ‘Poatan’ is looking forward to fighting Jon Jones at the White House next year. But for Charles Oliveira, the 2-time LHW champ fighting ‘Bones’, who the ex-lightweight champ admires, may not be something he necessarily wants to see.

“When I fought the first time, Jon Jones was there. When I was the breakthrough fighter, Jon Jones was there. I was number two, he was number one. I admire him a lot,” Charles Oliveira said recently, as reported by MMA Fighting. “It’s definitely going to be a fight that I will sit down and cheer for Brazil, for ‘Poatan’. But I’ll be apprehensive watching it because [Jones] is great.”

The Q&A session will be a chance for the fans to throw in some interesting questions at Alex Pereira regarding his next step. UFC White House has been announced for June 2026. So, Dana White may try to pitch in one more fight before Pereira sets his sights on the Oval Office showdown. His helping the CEO adds more shine to the UFC Rio Fight Week and will certainly help him get the 56-year-old on board with his plans, right?