Alex Pereira, Magomed Ankalaev's Next Best Fights After UFC 313 Results

Magomed Ankalaev etched his name in the light heavyweight history books as a new champion and the man who ended Alex Pereira's reign. His unanimous decision win has re-aligned the 205-pound division.

Of course, the immediate discussion will center around a rematch, but that isn't really guaranteed to be the next fight for either fighter.

The last time Alex Pereira lost a title fight he simply changed weight classes. His loss to Israel Adesanya cost him the middleweight belt, but kickstarted his light heavyweight campaign that brough him another title.

Here, we'll take a look at what could be next for both of our UFC 313 combatants.

• Rematch with Pereira
• Jiri Prochazka
• Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg winner

Now that Ankalaev has become the champion he'll have to shift his focus to putting on a reign as good as his predecessor's. Pereira did a lot of damage to the upper echelon of the division.

The ideal scenario would see Pereira pursue a rematch. Beating Pereira again will lend credibility to Ankalaev's title run and set him up as the favorite to beat anyone else who challenges him at 205 pounds.

It's a scenario that Ankalaev had already anticipated before their fight on Saturday.

However, Pereira could have his sights set on other targets. Even after a loss he's one of the UFC's biggest draws and he only has so much time to chase his goals at 37 years old.

If Poatan goes to another weight (or sport for that matter) then Jiri Prochazka becomes the obvious next man up. He has beaten everyone he has faced over the last 10 years not named Alex Pereira.

A bout between Prochazka and Ankalaev would give the division the best chance for a clean break from Pereira.

The runner-up in that category would be whoever wins the March 22 fight between Jan Blachowicz and Carlos Unberg. Blachowicz and Ankalaev fought for a vacant light heavyweight title to a majority draw.

Giving Ankalaev a chance at redemption with the belt on the line again would be fitting.

• Rematch with Ankalaev
• Dricus du Plessis
• Khalil Rountree vs. Jamahal Hill winner

A rematch would be good for the champion but even better for the now former champion. Pereira knows better than most the power of a rematch. Getting revenge to earn back the light heavyweight title would create another memorable chapter in his legacy.

At the same time, Pereira hasn't been one to let weight classes dictate his next move.

When Pereira lost his rematch against Israel Adesanya he didn't stick around to attempt to win the belt back. He made the move up to 205 where he went on another dominant run.

If he's just looking to find the best fights at 37 years old, then a move back down to middleweight could be in the cards. Dricus du Plessis doesn't have a lot of good options outside of Khamzat Chimaev.

Taking on the former middleweight and light heavyweight champion would be an even bigger opportunity for du Plessis.

The more straightforward option for Pereira that doesn't include fighting for a belt would be to get the winner of the April 26 bout between Khalil Rountree Jr. and Jamahal Hill.

Both have recently fought for the light heavyweight title recently and come up short. Getting another crack at the champion would be a good opportunity for them and the kind of win that could get Pereira back to a title fight.