Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) by unanimous decision in this past Saturday’s main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Zahabi was surprised that Ankalaev failed to get Pereira to the ground, and even more surprised that he was able to win without any takedowns landed.

At UFC 313, Alex Pereira's 16-month-long reign as the UFC light heavyweight champion came to an end. 'Poatan' was defeated via unanimous decision by Magomed Ankalaev, who utilised his grappling against the cage to frustrate the Brazilian and neutralise his threat on the feet due to fears of the takedown.

Daniel Cormier says Alex Pereira has maxed himself out at light heavyweight. This wasn't the case for Cormier when he was on top of the sport, the former UFC light ceavyweight champion going on to win the heavyweight title with a KO of Stipe Miocic in 2019.