Get ready because Alex Pereira’s next fight announcement is officially dropping this Saturday, October 3, 2026, and the way it’s happening is wild. UFC President Dana White himself will deliver the news during MMA personality Nina Drama’s stream on Kick, a reveal that only came because Nina Marie Daniele’s Instagram post blew past a 25,000 comment threshold. That condition was met, so the news is coming, and it’s going to shake up both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions.
Dana White Is Doing It Live (Thanks to Instagram)
This isn’t the first time White has used Nina Drama’s platform for UFC business, confirming Arman Tsarukyan as a backup fighter there back in May. Now, he is making a huge announcement for one of the most talked about fighters in the sport. The big reveal for Pereira’s next opponent is set to happen during UFC 332, which is going down at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The main event for that card is Natalia Silva versus Wang Cong for the vacant women’s flyweight title, with the main card kicking off at 5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+. We still don’t know the exact weight class Pereira will fight in, a massive detail considering he is ranked third at light heavyweight and third in the heavyweight meta rankings.
The Stakes Are Sky-High, And Volkov Deserves More
Everyone expects the opponent to be Sergei Pavlovich, but that is totally unconfirmed. If it is Pavlovich, and Pereira pulls off a win, he could be next in line for whoever comes out on top between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit. Gane, who beat Pereira by TKO in his heavyweight debut at UFC Freedom 250 for the interim title, is now the undisputed champion after Tom Aspinall vacated. Gane is already set to defend his belt against Hokit at UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden. If Hokit somehow wins that, Pereira beating Pavlovich would almost certainly put him next for the title shot. But let’s be real, while nobody is going to argue against Pereira getting a shot, the guy who *should* really be next for the top contenders’ spot is Alexander Volkov. Volkov is ranked second on the heavyweight contender list, right behind Tom Aspinall who is currently inactive, and above Pavlovich, who is third. If Pereira faces Volkov next instead of Pavlovich, *that* would be a proper number one contender fight.
So, get ready to tune into Nina Drama’s Kick stream this Saturday, October 3. We are about to find out who Alex Pereira is fighting next, and whether he is staying at heavyweight or making a return to 205 pounds. The division’s future hangs in the balance, and if it’s Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov has every right to feel shortchanged.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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