Dana White says he will announce Alex Pereira’s next opponent on Nina Marie Daniele’s Kick stream this Saturday during UFC 332, on one condition: her Instagram post had to reach 25,000 comments. LowKick MMA reports the post has already passed that mark, and Bloody Elbow reports White has confirmed the plan. No opponent, date or weight class has been named.
What Pereira And White Have Said
The reveal follows a tease from Pereira himself. “It’s coming. Good news, that’s right, a big challenge,” Pereira said. “Like I told you, if I hadn’t taken risks in all my fights I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
White then tied the announcement to Daniele’s post, which turned a routine matchmaking update into an engagement challenge. The UFC has not issued a release, so the details above come from White’s comments and the outlets reporting them.
White has used Daniele’s stream for announcements before. In May he confirmed on it that Arman Tsarukyan would serve as the official backup fighter for the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje title fight at UFC Freedom 250.
Pereira’s Position After The White House Loss
Pereira is coming off a second-round stoppage loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House card, his heavyweight debut, a fight ESPN described as Gane crushing Pereira to capture the interim heavyweight title. Pereira later accused Gane of landing illegal blows, per ESPN. Gane has since been named the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion and defends against Josh Hokit at UFC 334.
Pereira had vacated the light heavyweight belt earlier this year to move up, so his next fight is the first test of whether the heavyweight run continues or he returns to 205 pounds. The answer is expected Saturday, when UFC 332 airs from Salt Lake City.
