Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira is on the move.
Just past midnight on the East Coast, ex-champ Pereira (7-2) announced that his next bout will be at light heavyweight. This announcement comes just a few days after his UFC 287 second-round knockout loss to Israel Adesanya.
The Brazilian’s record against the current champion is 3-1 overall, including kickboxing, and 1-1 in MMA. Under ordinary circumstances, you would not be wrong to assume that he would’ve been given an immediate rematch or been one bout away from one at most. But it seems Pereira has other plans.
My plans are official ! Announcement 📣
Full video on https://t.co/yR9Pvub1er pic.twitter.com/Rzs4RHvDKy— Alex "Poatan" Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) April 13, 2023
“My next fight will be in 205!” Pereira exclaimed in the video (translations provided). “Yeah you heard right— My next fight will be in 205!”
You can watch the full announcement on Pereira’s Youtube channel. “Poatan” went on to state that he doesn’t have an opponent yet and also dispelled any rumors about having struggles with cutting weight. However, at his height and age; most would think the move was inevitable.
Our own Bryson Hester documented Pereira’s weight cutting journey leading up to UFC 287. Glover Teixeira admitted in a recent interview that the weight cut is a huge one for Pereira, even stating that he could fight at heavyweight.
Pereira has previously fought at light heavyweight in kickboxing in Glory. His record in that division is 3-1, with the one loss coming by way of decision.
Following UFC 287, promotion president Dana White also suggested Pereira could be on the move to 205lbs. With Adesanya also shutting the door on a third fight in MMA any time soon, the move isn’t entirely surprising.
