"Poor Beneil Dariush" - Fans react as Alex Pereira jokingly hints at saving UFC 311 amid major shake-up 

MMA fans recently voiced their thoughts following Alex Pereira's tease to step up and save UFC 311. Pereira's recent social post came in the wake of Arman Tsarukyan's withdrawal from the pay-per-view headliner.

Pereira has always stayed active, notably competing in the kickboxing ring six times in 2014 and 2017. In his MMA career, 'Poatan' saved UFC 303 on International Fight Week after Conor McGregor's withdrawal from the pay-per-view main event two weeks prior. He also took on his title defenses at UFC 300 and UFC 307 under less-than-ideal circumstances.

A recent X update from the Brazilian mentioned that he was on his way to Los Angeles, California. It also comprised a screenshot of UFC CEO Dana White calling him.

"On my way to LA, CHAMA 🔥🔥🔥"

Of course, there's no chance of Pereira competing at this weekend's pay-per-view, where two of his former foes, Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill, will square off. Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will remain on the card, taking on Renato Moicano instead of Tsarukyan.

This leaves Beneil Dariush, Moicano's original opponent, without a fight, which one fan touched on in the comments section of Pereira's post:

"Poor Beneil Dariush"

Other fans wrote:

"Alex vs Dariush catchweight"

"Unfortunate for Beneil Dariush"

"[Is] Chama gonna replace the co-main and become the main?!!!!"

Check out more reactions below:

Fan reactions to Alex Pereira's X update. [Image Courtesy: @AlexPereiraUFC on X]

---

Magomed Ankalaev's manager is confident his client will take on Alex Pereira next

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Magomed Ankalaev has been calling Alex Pereira out for quite some time now. However, one of Pereira's recent X posts clarified that Ankalaev won't be his next title defense rival. The champion wrote:

"It won’t be Ankalaev ! 😭"

However, Ankalaev's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, debunked Pereira's revelation. He revealed that his Dagestani light heavyweight client will be 'Poatan's' next challenger. Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie:

"He [Pereira] can say whatever he wants. But the only thing that matters [is that] him and Ankalaev will be locked in a cage."

Check out Ali Abdelaziz's comments below (17:47):