Las Vegas – UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira said a move to heavyweight was “inevitable” during his post-fight interview, but he knows it’ll take some time to prepare.
“Man for heavyweight it’s something I’ve got to do preparation (for),” Pereira told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator at his post-fight scrum on Saturday night.
“Right now you guys saw that I took this fight on two-weeks notice. For heavyweight it’s something that’s got to be more planned. Right now I’m just focused on defending my title.”
So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
Pereira (11-2) retained his title at UFC 303 with a TKO victory over Jiri Prochazka seemingly ending that rivalry. The fight was on two-weeks notice following the cancelation of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.
“When this fight got offered two weeks ago many doubted. Many people said that it was not the right choice to take the fight, but I saw an opportunity. I trained hard, I prepared for this,” Pereira said.
“People saw me driving supercars in Australia. They were talking all kinds of stuff. Yesterday I (said), if I was not trained, tomorrow in the fight it’s going to show. You guys saw.”
The 205 king continues to make waves in the sport with very few actual MMA bouts to his name. He’s also having an effect on fight culture with his phrase “Chama” becoming bigger every fight.
“I’m happy to be creating kind of this movement. I’ve been putting (chama) on my shirts. I’ve been doing my stuff and to have people support and say chama, wearing the shirts and wearing everything, it’s very cool,” Pereira told Cageside Press.
Two fights in the span of a little over two months is a lot for anybody. As tough as Pereira is it’s possible it’s time for a little break.
“Just want (to) right now take a break. Rest a little bit. You saw my year so far how it’s been going fast,” he said.
“Right now just want to take my time and just rest up.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Alex Pereira above.
