LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Alex Pereira of Brazil reacts prior to the UFC light heavyweight ... [+] championship fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesIs Alex Pereira moving up to heavyweight for his next fight?It sounds like a definite possibility. According to Brazilian MMA content creator Laerte Viana, Pereira is rumored to be moving toward a fight with No. 3 heavyweight Alexander Volkov.The fight would not be a championship bout, but it seems likely the winner would get the next shot at the heavyweight title. UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is expected to defend his title against interim champion Tom Aspinall at some point in 2025.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Alex Pereira of Brazil reacts to his victory in the UFC light ... [+] heavyweight championship fight against Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesThe winner of Pereira-Volkov would appear to be set up as the No. 1 contender. Pereira is the former UFC middleweight champion and reigning light heavyweight king.He has expressed interest in moving up to heavyweight to pursue a championship in a third weight class. The UFC has never had a fighter win a world title in three different divisions.Pereira has ascended to become one of the biggest stars in combat sports, and at 38, he is seeking to maximize his time in the UFC and his window as an elite fighter.Volkov is a veteran of 49 professional mixed martial arts bouts and 17 in the UFC. Hes never been UFC champion, but he has been on the cusp of a title shot multiple times. Most recently, Volkov lost a disputed split decision to former interim champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 310.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: Alexander Volkov of Russia exits the Octagon after his heavyweight ... [+] bout during the UFC 310 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)Zuffa LLCIf Volkov had won that fight, he would already be in a position to fight the winner of Jones-Aspinall. As it is, UFC President Dana White felt Volkov got a raw deal and vowed to make it up to him.Perhaps putting him in a position for a big-money showdown with Pereira and another shot at becoming the No. 1 contender is the offer.While Pereira-Volkov is an intriguing fight, there is still a chance Pereira stays at light heavyweight to face No. 1 contender Magomed Ankalaev or even Khamzat Chimaev in March.Ankalaev is considered a longshot for that date because he observes Ramadan and would not have proper time to train for the fight. Chimaev is the No. 3 middleweight in the world, so he could be shifting gears to lock horns with Pereira at light heavyweight.Chimaev may not want to wait for the winner of Dricus du Plessis and Sean Stricklands rematch at UFC 312. Fighting Pereira for the light heavyweight title is a shorter path to a championship opportunity, but he could be climbing into the Octagon with a bigger and more dangerous opponent than DDP or Strickland.Its an interesting situation that will play out through official announcements from the UFC over the next few weeks.Here is a look at what we believe is already in place for UFC 313. Besides Pereiras fight and the Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo clash, the other bouts seem like prelims.UFC 313 Card - Known Fights(5) Amanda Lemos vs. (7) Iasmin Lucindo StrawweightBrunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan MiddleweightAlex Morono vs. Carlos Leal WelterweightMairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall FeatherweightBruno Silva vs. Joshua Van Mens FlyweightJhonata Diniz vs. Vitor Petrino HeavyweightDjorden Santos vs. Ozzy Diaz MiddleweightStay tuned for more information on UFC 313 and other events from the promotion in the first quarter of 2025.