Is Alex Pereira truly the future of the UFC’s light heavyweight division? It seems like a no-brainer to many, but as 2025 begins, the question still lingers: who, if anyone, can stop him? With Pereira on top, some MMA experts and legends are already raising eyebrows about his reign.

Here’s the thing: when a UFC veteran like Robert Whittaker speaks, people listen. So, when Whittaker was asked about the future of the 205lbs division in #55 of MMArcade Podcast, his answer was pretty straightforward. “Pereira. I think it’s going to be him.” But wait a minute, the plot thickens. He didn’t stop there. When asked if Magomed Ankalaev would be the one to dethrone Pereira, Whittaker shot that down, saying the Russian has the skills to test Pereira on the ground but not in the striking department. Pereira in 2025? For sure, he’s the one.

So, is it really that simple? Whittaker seems convinced, but MMA fans know better than anyone that nothing is ever set in stone. Could Pereira’s striking brilliance truly carry him to the top, or is there a hidden threat out there waiting to prove the naysayers wrong? Let’s pause for a second, though. While Whittaker’s prediction seems rock solid, another name comes up in the conversation, Islam Makhachev. The UFC lightweight champion’s name has been whispered as a potential threat to Pereira, even though they sit in different weight classes.

Now, imagine this: Makhachev moving up to challenge for the light heavyweight title. It’s not an impossible scenario, and Ali Abdelaziz, Makhachev’s manager and a man who’s helped craft the careers of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kamaru Usman, seems to think so, too. “Islam could beat anyone between 155 and 185 on any given day,” MMA powerhouse Abdelaziz says. Whoa. Could this be the challenge Pereira hasn’t seen coming?

But what if ‘Poatan’ stays firmly on top? The current king has already taken down four former champions, and his tweet about Ankalaev not being his next challenger raised a few eyebrows. Maybe he’s looking past Ankalaev for now, but does that mean there’s someone else lurking in the shadows? Let’s be real for a second: light heavyweight is stacked with talent. So, who’s next on the list to challenge Pereira’s reign?

Who are the rising threats that could topple Alex Pereira?

Enter Khamzat Chimaev. Yes, that Chimaev, who’s never short of bold claims. The undefeated powerhouse recently fired shots at Pereira, confidently stating that he could easily outwrestle him. And let’s not forget, Chimaev has already hinted at moving up to light heavyweight. Is this the dream matchup we didn’t know we needed? Imagine Chimaev and Pereira, two contrasting styles, in a battle for the title. It’s a fight that would have fans buzzing for sure.

But let’s throw another twist in the form of the consensus MMA GOAT Jon Jones. With the UFC legend nearing the end of his reign as heavyweight champion, is there a chance he might return to light heavyweight? Imagine a showdown between Jones and Pereira. Would Jones’ wrestling be enough to neutralize Pereira’s brutal striking, or would Pereira’s striking finesse be too much for Jones? It’s a hypothetical that could shake the foundations of both weight divisions.

So, as we edge closer to 2025, the big question remains: Is anyone really going to dethrone Pereira? If Whittaker and Abdelaziz are to be believed, Pereira’s reign could be long and dominant. But with Chimaev and Makhachev eyeing the title and the potential for a monster fight with Jones, it’s clear that 2025 could turn out to be a lot more unpredictable than we think.

What do you think? Is Pereira untouchable, or is there a challenger lurking around the corner ,ready to shake things up? Who do you see as the biggest threat to Pereira’s throne? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!