UFC champion Alex Pereira reacts to altercation with Jamahal Hill

LAS VEGAS – Alex Pereira brushed off his confrontation with Jamahal Hill at the UFC Performance Institute.

Thursday, while both fighters appeared to be training at the UFC PI, Hill walked up to light heavyweight champion Pereira. That sparked a heated back-and-forth, which saw Pereira tell Hill to put on the gloves and step in the cage.

Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) was asked to give his side of the story, but barely acknowledged Hill (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), whom he knocked out in their title fight at UFC 300.

“Well, things happen,” Pereira told MMA Junkie through an interpreter on the red carpet. “This is the first time it’s happened to me, but I’m focused on myself, focused on my thing. Right now, he should be worried about his next fight. He has a tough fight with Jiri.”

Hill meets fellow former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka Jan. 18 at UFC 311. Meanwhile, “Poatan” is targeting a return at the end of March or April.

As for the opponent, Pereira says it could be Magomed Ankalaev.

“It seems to be – I don’t know,” Pereira said. “But like I said before, I want to make it harder for him because of all the lies he said about me so, let’s see what’s next.”

Both Hill and Prochazka have their sights set on a rematch with Pereira. UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones also wants Pereira next, and the newly crowned Fighter of the Year likes that he continues to have options.

“I’m happy to be called out by all these people – keep my name out there,” Pereira said. “People are enjoying my job. But at the end of the day, what I really want is to continue my work and keep defending my belt.”