Following Dustin Jacoby’s emphatic win over Julius Walker at UFC Vegas 113 on February 7th, Alex Pereira publicly expressed admiration for Jacoby’s rising performance and urged that Jacoby be placed in the UFC’s top fifteen rankings. Jacoby finished Walker with a powerful string of strikes in the second round, extending his winning streak to three consecutive fights, all by stoppage.
‘Poatan,’ the current middleweight champion, was clearly attentive during the bout, as video footage revealed Pereira watching the fight intently and showing visible respect for his former kickboxing rival. Pereira and Jacoby previously crossed paths in the kickboxing world during the Glory 14 tournament in 2014, where Pereira stopped Jacoby with a left hook in the semifinals.
Sharing his thoughts on social media, Pereira posted on X from his verified account @AlexPereiraUFC, writing,
“Incredible work, Dustin Jacoby. Put some respect on his name and place him in the rankings! Nostalgia from the Glory days – would love to see him in the rankings to show the evolution that has occurred in a different sport! Chama [fire emoji]” – Alex Pereira, UFC Middleweight Champion
Potential Grappling Matchup Between Alex Pereira and Shara Bullet
Outside of striking contests, speculation has grown about a possible grappling bout between Alex Pereira and Sharabutdin Magomedov, known as Shara Bullet. Magomedov has competed in grappling events beyond his MMA career, including a recent bout against UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsaruykan. His manager, Rizvan Magomedov, revealed in an interview with Sport 24 that they are pursuing more grappling opportunities, potentially targeting Pereira as an opponent.
Rizvan noted that while UFC waits to assign Shara Bullet to an event in the Middle East, keeping the fighter active through grappling matches is a priority. A contest between the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira and Bullet—whether grappling or otherwise—would undoubtedly draw significant attention and build excitement among fans.
It remains uncertain if this possible duel will materialize, but ongoing discussions suggest that negotiations may soon proceed.
Rivalries and Rankings Continue to Shape UFC’s Competitive Landscape
With Jacoby’s recent successes, Alex Pereira’s recognition of his accomplishments adds momentum to Jacoby’s case for ascending the middleweight rankings. At the same time, potential high-profile matchups like the proposed grappling contest between Pereira and Shara Bullet could generate additional intrigue in the UFC’s evolving fight scene.
The constant jockeying for titles and ranking positions, as seen with fighters like Ian Machado Garry and Michael Morales clashing verbally over upcoming welterweight title shots, shows how intense competition remains across multiple UFC divisions. These developments highlight the sport’s dynamic environment where fighters continuously seek to prove their place among the elite.
Alex Pereira can’t take his eyes off his former kickboxing rival and urges the UFC to give him the recognition he deserves #UFCVegas113
"Incredible work, Dustin Jacoby. Put some respect on his name and place him in the rankings! Nostalgia from the Glory days – would love to see… pic.twitter.com/CmzForiTdi
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 8, 2026
