UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has issued a bone-chilling warning to undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev ahead of their rumored rematch, promising to deliver a devastating knockout that will end the Chechen fighter’s meteoric rise. In a fiery interview with MMA Fighting on March 27, 2025, Pereira didn’t mince words, declaring, “Khamzat won’t last—I’m knocking him out cold!” The bold statement has sent shockwaves through the MMA community, setting the stage for what could be one of the most explosive fights in UFC history.

A Rivalry Born in the Octagon

The bad blood between Pereira and Chimaev stems from their first encounter at UFC 300 in April 2024, a fight that ended in a controversial split decision victory for Pereira. The bout, which took place at light heavyweight, showcased Pereira’s lethal striking against Chimaev’s relentless wrestling. Despite Chimaev’s early dominance with takedowns, Pereira landed a series of punishing leg kicks and a late-round flurry that many believe swayed the judges in his favor. The scorecards read 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28 for Pereira, but Chimaev and his team immediately protested, claiming the decision was a “robbery.”

Since that night, Chimaev (14-1, 8-1 UFC) has been vocal about wanting a rematch, calling Pereira “a lucky champion” in a June 2024 interview with ESPN. The Chechen fighter, who recently moved up to light heavyweight full-time after a dominant first-round submission of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October 2024, has been on a tear, with his only official loss being the controversial decision to Pereira. Meanwhile, Pereira (11-2, 8-1 UFC) has solidified his reign as light heavyweight king, defending his title against Khalil Rountree Jr. and Magomed Ankalaev in 2024, both via knockout.

Pereira’s Chilling Warning

During his interview with MMA Fighting, Pereira exuded confidence, dismissing Chimaev’s chances in a rematch. “Khamzat talks a lot, but he won’t last this time,” Pereira said through a translator, his tone icy. “Last fight, I let him survive. This time, I’m knocking him out cold. He can wrestle all he wants, but he can’t handle my power.” The Brazilian striker, known for his devastating left hook and pinpoint accuracy, has a history of delivering on such promises—his knockouts of Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, and Jamahal Hill have cemented his reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in UFC history.

Pereira’s warning comes amid reports that the UFC is targeting a rematch for UFC 318 in July 2025, potentially as part of International Fight Week in Las Vegas. Sources close to the promotion told MMA Junkie that the fight is “all but confirmed,” with both fighters verbally agreeing to the matchup. The first fight drew a record 1.2 million pay-per-view buys, and a rematch is expected to shatter that number given the heightened stakes and bad blood.

Chimaev Fires Back

Khamzat Chimaev, never one to back down from a challenge, responded to Pereira’s comments within hours via a post on X: “You talk about knockouts, but you barely survived last time. I’m coming to smesh you, Poatan. No judges this time.” Chimaev’s confidence is backed by his relentless pressure and elite wrestling, which gave Pereira trouble in their first meeting. However, his gas tank has been a point of concern—against Pereira, he faded in the later rounds, and similar issues surfaced in his decision wins over Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman.

MMA analyst Chael Sonnen weighed in on the matchup during his YouTube show, noting that Chimaev’s path to victory relies on early dominance. “Khamzat needs to take Alex down and keep him there for the first two rounds,” Sonnen said. “But if Alex survives the early storm and starts landing those leg kicks or that left hook, it’s lights out. Alex doesn’t mess around—he’s a finisher.”

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
For Pereira, a knockout win over Chimaev would further solidify his legacy as one of the greatest strikers in MMA history. The 37-year-old Brazilian has already achieved the rare feat of becoming a two-division champion, having won the middleweight title in 2022 before capturing the light heavyweight belt in 2023. A victory over Chimaev, who many see as the future of the sport, would silence doubters who question Pereira’s grappling defense and prove he can handle the division’s most dangerous wrestlers.

For Chimaev, the rematch is a chance to reclaim his aura of invincibility. At 30 years old, he’s still in his prime, and a win over Pereira would not only avenge his only loss but also position him as the new light heavyweight king. However, a knockout loss, as Pereira predicts, could be a devastating setback for a fighter who has built his career on being untouchable.

The MMA World Reacts
Fans and fighters alike have been buzzing since Pereira’s warning dropped. On X, the hashtag #PereiraVsChimaev2 trended worldwide, with fans split on the outcome. “Alex is going to sleep Khamzat with that left hook—mark my words,” one user wrote. Another countered, “Khamzat’s going to ragdoll him again. Alex got lucky last time.” Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who has faced both fighters, gave his take on Instagram Live: “Alex hits like a truck, but Khamzat’s pressure is insane. This is a 50-50 fight, but I’m leaning toward Alex because of his experience in big moments.”

UFC President Dana White added fuel to the hype during a press conference on March 26, 2025, calling the rematch “one of the biggest fights we can make right now.” White also hinted at the potential for a five-round main event, stating, “These guys are killers. We’re giving them the time to settle it once and for all.”

A Clash of Titans Looms
Alex Pereira’s chilling warning has set the tone for what promises to be a blockbuster rematch. With his knockout power and unshakable confidence, Pereira is a man on a mission to prove he’s the best in the world. But Chimaev’s relentless aggression and hunger for redemption make him a dangerous foe. Will Pereira deliver on his promise to “knock him out cold,” or will Chimaev prove that his wrestling and pressure are too much for the champion?

As the MMA world counts down to UFC 318, one thing is certain: when Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev step into the octagon again, the stakes—and the violence—will be at an all-time high. The countdown to this epic showdown has officially begun!