The UFC world is buzzing with the idea of Alex Pereira vs Khamzat Chimaev, even though the fight is not happening right now.
Khamzat Chimaev has been calling out Alex Pereira, but Alex hasn’t shown interest because he wants big-money legacy fights, the kind of fights that push him toward all-time great status in the UFC.
Alex is already a superstar, a two-division champion, and one of the scariest knockout artists active today.
Still, fans cannot stop imagining what would happen if these two monsters finally stepped inside the Octagon together.
Their styles are opposite, their strengths are extreme, and their confidence is unmatched. This hypothetical matchup has everything: danger, drama, skill clash, and massive stakes.
In this article, we break down what could realistically happen if Alex Pereira vs Khamzat Chimaev becomes a reality, how both fighters match up, what problems they create for each other, and who truly has the edge.
Why the Fight Isn’t Happening Right Now
Before discussing the matchup itself, it’s important to understand why Alex Pereira is ignoring Khamzat’s callout.
- Alex wants legacy fights, not risky stylistic matches that don’t pay big money.
At this stage of his career, Alex is chasing the biggest moments, not the toughest matchups. - Alex is already headlining massive cards as a two-division champion and one of the biggest stars in the UFC.
- Fighting Khamzat doesn’t offer enough reward compared to the risk.
Khamzat is dangerous, undefeated at middleweight, and has a suffocating wrestling style. - Alex Pereira is also looking at heavyweight opportunities, which bring huge paydays and history-making potential.
So even though Khamzat is calling him out, Alex is focused on bigger long-term goals.
But fans still want to know… What if the UFC forces it? What if the stars align?
Let’s imagine the fight and break it down.
Alex Pereira vs Khamzat Chimaev: What Happens If the Fight Actually Takes Place?
This fight is fascinating because it is the purest form of striker vs wrestler in modern UFC.
- Alex Pereira:
World-class kickboxer, elite knockout artist, two-division UFC champion. - Khamzat Chimaev:
Hyper-aggressive wrestler with endless pressure and elite grappling.
The matchup becomes a battle of two questions:
- Can Khamzat take Alex Pereira down and keep him down?
- Can Alex Pereira land his legendary power before Khamzat smothers him?
Let’s break down each fighter in detail.
Alex Pereira’s Strengths in This Matchup
1. Fight-Ending Power Like No One Else in the UFC
Alex Pereira’s left hook and leg kicks are not just dangerous; they are weapons that end careers.
At middleweight and light heavyweight, we have seen him knock out fighters who were considered nearly impossible to finish.
When Pereira lands clean, the fight changes instantly.
2. Size and Strength That Make Takedowns Extremely Hard
Many people underestimate Alex’s physical strength. He is:
- Tall
- Strong
- Naturally heavy
- Extremely hard to lift
Khamzat shoots takedowns from the opening second, but Alex is not like the smaller middleweights Khamzat has dominated. Physically, Alex is closer to a heavyweight.
3. Experience Against Elite Wrestlers
People compare Khamzat’s wrestling to the Dagestani style. But guess what?
Alex Pereira just defeated Magomed Ankalaev, one of the best fighters from Dagestan, and not only stuffed his wrestling, he broke him and finished him with ground-and-pound.
Ankalaev is no ordinary wrestler. He is part of the same fighting culture responsible for fighters like Islam Makhachev and Khabib.
And Alex still crushed him.
4. Ability to Keep Calm Under Pressure
Khamzat starts fast, but Alex is always composed. His patience allows him to find openings that others panic and miss.
If the fight stays standing for even one minute, Khamzat is in danger.
Khamzat Chimaev’s Strengths in This Matchup
1. The Best Early-Fight Wrestling Pressure in the UFC Today
Khamzat wrestles differently than most. He doesn’t wait. He doesn’t feel out of the range.
He explodes into a takedown within the first 10 seconds, and once he gets control, he keeps chaining takedown attempts until he gets what he wants.
2. Five-Round Pressure That Breaks Fighters
Against Dricus Du Plessis, Khamzat showed that he can:
- Wrestle for all five rounds
- Stay aggressive
- Dictate pace
- Maintain control
- Win dominantly with his grappling
That performance made him the UFC middleweight champion.
3. Very Hard to Knock Out Because He Rarely Stays Striking
Khamzat doesn’t give opponents time or space. His game plan is always to smother.
Strikers usually cannot get clean shots off on him… but Pereira is not an average striker.
Comparing Their Styles: Who Has the Real Advantage?
Now let’s look at how their abilities clash.
1. Distance Management
Alex Pereira is a master of distance.
Khamzat needs to close the distance quickly to shoot a takedown.
But here’s the problem for Khamzat:
Alex’s leg kicks will destroy anyone who rushes forward without setup.
One low kick from Pereira can change the tone of the whole fight.
2. First Takedown Attempt Is Everything
If Khamzat gets an early takedown, he can:
- Hold Alex down
- Wear him out
- Make him defensive
- Avoid stand-up danger
But if Khamzat fails the first takedown attempt?
He is in danger because Pereira hits extremely hard and punishes failed entries.
3. Size Difference Matters
Alex Pereira is truly a huge light heavyweight. When he cuts to 205, he looks like a natural heavyweight on fight night.
Khamzat is a big middleweight, but he has never fought a striker this strong or this physically imposing.
This matters for takedowns.
This matters for clinches.
This matters for ground exchanges.
4. Gas Tank Comparison
- Khamzat can wrestle for 5 rounds, but only when he controls the pace.
- If Alex defends early takedowns, Khamzat may gas faster than usual.
And a tired Khamzat against Alex Pereira?
That is a nightmare scenario.
Imagining the Fight Round by Round
Let’s visualize how the fight likely plays out.
Round 1: Khamzat Charges, Pereira Stays Calm
Khamzat shoots immediately. This round decides the entire fight.
Scenario A: Khamzat gets the takedown.
If he keeps Alex on the ground, he can dominate the round and possibly look for a submission or heavy ground-and-pound.
Scenario B: Alex defends the takedown or gets up quickly.
Then Khamzat is in trouble because Alex will land something big.
Round 2: Momentum Shifts Toward Pereira
If the fight reaches the second round, the advantage shifts toward Alex Pereira.
Khamzat slows down slightly. Alex reads the timing. The strikes begin to land. And once Pereira connects clean, Khamzat will feel power unlike anyone he has ever fought.
This is where a KO from Alex Pereira becomes very likely.
Round 3, 4, and 5: Dangerous Territory for Khamzat
Pereira’s power stays throughout the whole fight. Khamzat’s wrestling does not stay at the same level after 10–12 minutes.
If Pereira is still standing in round 3, the fight will probably end soon.
Could Khamzat Win? Yes, But Only With the Perfect Game Plan
To beat Alex Pereira, Khamzat must:
- Get an early takedown
- Avoid standing exchanges
- Use nonstop chain wrestling
- Control every second on the ground
- Keep the fight boring and tactical
If Khamzat fails to implement this plan, he loses.
Could Alex Pereira Win? Absolutely, And It Might Happen Violently
Alex only needs:
- One opening
- One mistake from Khamzat
- One clean left hook or kick
And it’s over.
- This is what makes Alex so dangerous.
- You can win minutes, you can win rounds…
- But you cannot make a single mistake.
Because Alex Pereira will punish that mistake with fight-ending power.
Why Khamzat’s Callout Might Be the Biggest Mistake of His Career
Many fans think Khamzat is fearless, and he is. But he is calling out one of the most dangerous fighters in UFC history.
The things that make Khamzat great (aggression, forward pressure, fast entries) are the same things that can get him knocked out brutally against Alex Pereira.
This matchup is high-risk for Khamzat:
- Alex is too big
- Alex is too strong
- Alex hits too hard
- Alex has shown he can handle elite wrestlers
- Alex keeps improving his grappling
If Khamzat shoots recklessly, he might run straight into a knee, an uppercut, or the left hook Pereira is famous for.
This fight could end Khamzat’s undefeated aura forever.
Who Would Win If They Fought Today? Final Prediction
If the fight happens, the first two minutes decide everything.
- If Khamzat gets Alex down early, He wins by ground control or late-round decision.
- If Khamzat fails or gets stuffed, Alex Pereira knocks him out brutally.
But based on size, experience, power, and recent performances…
Prediction: Alex Pereira defeats Khamzat Chimaev by KO/TKO in Round 2.
It’s not because Khamzat isn’t great. He is. But Alex Pereira is simply too dangerous, too powerful, and too well-prepared for wrestlers at this point in his career.
Khamzat’s path to victory is extremely narrow.
Alex Pereira’s path to victory is massive and explosive.
Conclusion: A Fight Fans Want, but One That May Never Happen
The idea of Alex Pereira vs Khamzat Chimaev excites the whole MMA world. It’s a clash of extremes, a true striker vs wrestler showdown, and a potential all-time great matchup.
But Alex Pereira is chasing bigger legacy fights right now, and until the UFC offers massive money, this fight will remain a fantasy.
Still, if it ever happens, the world will watch and someone will fall dramatically.
And based on everything we know today, the fighter who likely falls is Khamzat Chimaev.