Alex Pereira is reportedly preparing for a UFC comeback, aiming for a grappling match against a fellow middleweight contender, though not Khamzat Chimaev as speculated. The Brazilian, known for his striking skills, has been inactive since UFC 320, where he reclaimed the middleweight championship by defeating Magomed Ankalaev. His next UFC move has remained uncertain, but recent information suggests that negotiations are underway for Pereira to face Sharaputdin Magomedov in a grappling event, marking a significant step in his career comeback.
Earlier, Pereira challenged UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev to a charity grappling match, but that bout did not advance due to Pereira’s preference for grappling rather than an MMA fight. Instead, Sharaputdin Magomedov, a rising middleweight grappler, appears to be the probable opponent. Islam Makhachev’s manager, Rizvan Magomedov, confirmed ongoing negotiations for Shara’s next fight, indicating a preference for venues outside the United States due to restrictions on Magomedov’s ability to fight there.
“We are waiting for a date for [Shara’s] next fight. Ideally, an event in the Middle East or elsewhere, because he can’t fight in the US for obvious reasons. He’s filling his free time with this kind of match. It’s essentially two strikers who will be grappling. The negotiations are ongoing,”
Rizvan Magomedov, Islam Makhachev’s manager.
Grappling Matches Becoming Popular Among MMA Fighters
Cross-discipline grappling matches have been gaining traction within the MMA community. While Alex Pereira has remained relatively inactive outside the UFC cage, Sharaputdin Magomedov has actively competed in grappling events, most recently drawing in a match against Arman Tsarukyan under the HYPE FC promotion last December. This upcoming match between Pereira and Magomedov offers Pereira an opportunity to showcase his ground skills, an area previously questioned by UFC President Dana White, who once doubted Pereira’s wrestling ability and dismissed the viability of a heavyweight bout between Pereira and Jon Jones.
“No f–king way… Jon’s too big. [Jon is a] great wrestler…It just doesn’t make sense to make that fight,”
Dana White, UFC President.
Uncertainty Surrounds UFC White House Event Participation
The possibility that Pereira could join the UFC White House event scheduled for June 14 remains unclear. Although his recent social media activity hinted at a potential fight with Jon Jones, his cryptic posts, including symbols like a tire and hammer, do not confirm participation. This uncertainty is intensified by Jones’s own ambivalence toward returning to the octagon. Jones, who retired just weeks before former President Donald Trump announced the UFC White House event during the Iowa State Fairgrounds appearance in July 2025, has been in a complicated relationship with Dana White since walking away from a title defense against interim champion Tom Aspinall.
Jon Jones Reflects on His Future Amid UFC Speculations
Unlike in the past when Dana White supported Jon Jones through multiple career challenges, their relationship has cooled considerably after Jones’s unexpected retirement. White has expressed skepticism about Jones’s reliability as a fighter, despite fan anticipation for a possible match against Alex Pereira at the White House event.
Jon Jones recently gave insight into his mindset during an interview with The Schmo, reflecting ambivalence about his fighting future while emphasizing his commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen, I’m working out and eating healthy, I’m living the lifestyle, I’m walking the walk the way I’ve done it my whole life, and I don’t really know what’s gonna happen,”
Jon Jones, UFC fighter.
“Regardless, I take it one day at a time, some things are just out of my control, but I feel good, I feel blessed, whether I fight again or not, I feel wonderful, and I feel so grateful for this life God granted me with.”
Jon Jones, UFC fighter.
Fan Pressure May Influence Dana White’s Decisions on High-Profile Fights
Despite doubts surrounding both Pereira and Jones’s immediate futures, UFC decisions often respond to fan interest and social media momentum. While Dana White has publicly dismissed potential matchups between the two, persistent online support could pressure the UFC to reconsider. Speculation even exists around the possibility of seeing other prominent fighters like Conor McGregor return alongside Jones, potentially making the White House event a major comeback night for the sport’s big names.
With Alex Pereira’s grappling match against Sharaputdin Magomedov emerging as his next step, the UFC landscape remains tense and unpredictable. This fight could serve as the catalyst for Pereira’s full return to UFC competition, addressing previous concerns regarding his ground game and reestablishing his presence in the middleweight division.
🚨 Alex Pereira vs. Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov grappling match is on negotiations stage, per Rizvan Magomedov:
"We are waiting for a date for [Shara's] next fight. Ideally an event in Middle East or somewhere else, cause he can't fight in US for obvious reasons.
He's filling free… pic.twitter.com/TjtFWGmqz3
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) February 8, 2026
