From Champion to Chaos—The Shocking Fall of Alex Pereira at UFC 313

What Really Happened When Khamzat Chimaev Choked Alex at UFC 317 & What to Expect in the Future

For years, Alex Pereira was seen as one of the most terrifying forces in combat sports—a kickboxing legend turned UFC champion who demolished his way through two divisions with his devastating power. He ruled the light heavyweight division like an executioner, silencing doubters with knockout victories over the best in the world.

Then came UFC 313, a night that shattered everything. The seemingly invincible champion fell, leaving fans and analysts in shock. The king of knockouts was dethroned.

But the chaos didn’t end there.

Determined to reclaim his dominance, Pereira stepped into the octagon once again at UFC 317, this time against one of the most feared grapplers in MMA—Khamzat Chimaev. The world held its breath, expecting a battle for the ages.

What followed was something no one could have predicted.

This is the story of Alex Pereira’s shocking fall, his fateful encounter with Chimaev, and what the future holds for one of the most explosive fighters in UFC history.

UFC 313: The Night the Champion Fell

The Build-Up: An Unstoppable Force Meets a Nightmare Matchup

Coming into UFC 313, Pereira was riding high on confidence. He had just dismantled former champions like Jiri Procházka and Jan Błachowicz, proving that his power translated perfectly from middleweight to light heavyweight. Many believed he was on his way to becoming the greatest striker in UFC history.

But beneath the surface, there was a dark cloud looming over his reign—his ground game.

For all his precision, power, and brutality on the feet, Pereira had never truly been tested against an elite-level wrestler. While his takedown defense had improved, it was still the one weakness that could destroy his empire.

And then, the nightmare came.

The Fight That Changed Everything

The first round of UFC 313 looked promising for Pereira. He kept his distance, landed sharp leg kicks, and even staggered his opponent with a counter hook. The crowd roared—the champion was in control.

Then, in an instant, everything changed.

A single takedown.

One moment of hesitation.

Before anyone could blink, Pereira was flat on his back, and his opponent—a relentless wrestler—was smothering him, trapping him in a position with no escape.

The once-feared striker, known for knocking people out with ease, was suddenly fighting for survival. The clock ran out, and Pereira made it to the next round, but the damage had been done. His confidence was shaken, and his weakness had been exposed to the world.

The second round? More of the same. Within moments, he was dragged to the mat again, and this time, he didn’t escape. A suffocating rear-naked choke was locked in, and the champion had no choice but to tap.

Just like that, it was over.

The crowd fell silent.

The myth of Alex Pereira’s invincibility had been shattered.

UFC 317: Khamzat Chimaev Ends the Debate

Pereira’s Fast Return—Reckless or Genius?

Most fighters would have taken months to recover from such a devastating loss, but Pereira is not like most fighters. Instead of hiding, he demanded a fight against Khamzat Chimaev, the undefeated wrestling monster who had been calling for his name.

The MMA world was divided.

• Some believed this was a terrible mistake, an emotional decision that would cost him everything.
• Others saw it as a statement, proof that Pereira was a warrior who refused to back down from anyone.

But one thing was certain—UFC 317 would be do or die.

The Fight: A Quick and Brutal End

The fight began, and Pereira did exactly what fans hoped—he came out swinging. He knew he had seconds before Chimaev would go for the takedown, and he needed to end it fast.

A massive left hook barely missed Chimaev’s chin—had it landed, the fight could have been over in that moment. But Chimaev was prepared. He ducked, closed the distance, and shot for the takedown.

It was lightning-fast.

Before Pereira could react, he was slammed onto the mat.

And then, history repeated itself.

Chimaev transitioned to Pereira’s back with terrifying ease, securing a rear-naked choke in under two minutes. Pereira tried to resist, but there was no escape. The pressure was overwhelming.

Pereira tapped.

Silence.

It was even faster than UFC 313.

The final nail in the coffin.

What’s Next for Alex Pereira? Is This the End?

Where Does Pereira Go From Here?

Two back-to-back submission losses have left fans wondering: Is this the end of Pereira’s dominance?

Pereira has two options:

1. Stay in the light heavyweight division and work on his grappling game—This would require a massive shift in training, focusing heavily on takedown defense and ground survival. But would it be enough?
2. Return to middleweight for a fresh start—Pereira had unfinished business at 185 pounds. Could a return to his old division give him a better chance at another title?

Either way, Pereira has to make a decision. If he wants to remain a top contender, he must evolve—or risk becoming a cautionary tale.

Is Khamzat Chimaev Unstoppable?

With this dominant victory, Khamzat Chimaev has proven beyond a doubt that he is a once-in-a-generation fighter. His wrestling has now dismantled one of the greatest strikers the UFC has ever seen, and the question arises—who can stop him?

• Could he dominate multiple divisions?
• Is a UFC championship inevitable for him?
• Or will someone find the key to stopping “Borz” before he reaches true greatness?

One thing is certain—the future of the UFC has changed forever.

Final Verdict: From Champion to Chaos—What Comes Next?

Alex Pereira was once an unstoppable force, a man feared for his striking power. But the world has seen that even the most dangerous strikers have their weaknesses.

His fall at UFC 313 was shocking. His submission loss at UFC 317 was devastating.

Now, he stands at a crossroads.

Will he rise again, adapting to the modern MMA landscape? Or has Khamzat Chimaev proven that Pereira’s reign was never built to last?

Only time will tell.

One thing is for sure—the legend of Alex Pereira is far from over.