Chael Sonnen says Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev rematch is unnecessary

Sonnen believes a rematch between Pereira and Ankalaev lacks competitiveness after their one-sided first fight.

Alex Pereira (left) punches Magomed Ankalaev in a light heavyweight title fight during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Chael Sonnen has cast doubt on the competitiveness of a rematch between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, arguing that their first fight was too one-sided to warrant a second encounter. Sonnen, a former UFC fighter and well-known analyst, believes the outcome would likely be the same if they fought again.

"The first fight was four to one. It was four rounds to one. It wasn't very competitive (for a rematch)," Sonnen said, as reported by MMA Fighting.

Pereira lost his UFC light heavyweight title to Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 in Las Vegas on March 9, 2025. The defeat derailed previous speculation about the Brazilian fighter moving up to heavyweight to pursue a third UFC title. Instead, all signs now point to a rematch with Ankalaev later this year. However, Sonnen does not believe it is a wise decision.

Sonnen questions the rematch's competitiveness

Despite being a fan of Pereira both inside and outside the octagon, Sonnen sees little reason to book an immediate rematch.

"I have to tell you, there was nothing in that first game, whether it was illness, injury, or a combination of the two, that would make any reasonable analyst believe that you would have had a different result in the second game," he said.

Sonnen acknowledged that Pereira had some strong moments in the first fight, particularly in defending Ankalaev’s takedowns. However, he noted that Pereira’s overall pace was slow, and he did not offer enough resistance against Ankalaev’s grappling-heavy approach.

"Although Pereira did some good things, like stopping takedowns, the rhythm of his movement was quite slow, and there wasn’t much resistance," Sonnen explained.

Ankalaev's advantage in a rematch

Sonnen further argued that even if Pereira learns from his mistakes, Ankalaev will do the same. The Russian champion, known for his wrestling skills, will make adjustments to ensure an even more dominant performance in a second fight.

"Ankalaev is an athlete who has a lot of takedowns. So, in theory, he is the one who will feel and know where the adjustments are needed to take down Pereira," Sonnen said.

Once Ankalaev takes Pereira to the ground, Sonnen doubts the Brazilian will be able to make a strong case for victory in the eyes of the judges.

"And when he takes him to the ground, I can't imagine how the judges will see it (Pereira)," he added.

Pereira’s motivation for a rematch

For Pereira, the rematch against Ankalaev is about more than just reclaiming the title—it is about correcting what went wrong in the first fight. The former champion revealed that he was dealing with several issues before UFC 313 and even considered withdrawing from the event before ultimately deciding to fight.

Pereira believes that with better preparation, he can perform at a higher level in the rematch and avoid the mistakes that cost him the belt.

However, Sonnen remains unconvinced.

Sonnen suggests Pereira reconsider his options

Sonnen believes that Pereira’s biggest opportunity may not be a rematch against Ankalaev but rather a fresh challenge elsewhere. He sees the rematch as a significant risk for Pereira, one that could damage his career if he loses again.

"I think it's a surprise, and I think it's a risk," Sonnen stated.

He made it clear that there is no shame in wanting a rematch, but Pereira must be fully prepared to face the consequences of another potential loss.

"Just let it go. There's nothing embarrassing about it. But if you come back and you lose two in a row, that's when the embarrassment comes," Sonnen warned.

As of now, the UFC has not officially announced a rematch between Pereira and Ankalaev, but if the fight happens, Pereira will have to prove that he can overcome the challenges that Sonnen believes will once again be his downfall.