Few fighters in the UFC have experienced the kind of climb that Brazilian power puncher Alex Pereira has. It took him just seven MMA fights to win the middleweight title before moving up to light heavyweight and taking the title there. Now, the champion wants to move up and try his luck in the heavyweight division. UFC CEO Dana White has yet to rule out the heavyweight move given the circumstances.
When the 37-year-old defeated Jiri Prochazka in the second round of UFC 303, it seemed like a dream come true for him. To win a third division title, ‘Poatan’ has since been considering a switch to the heavyweight class. Dana White has always been dubious about the move. However, he revealed that Pereira needs to wipe every light heavyweight first.
Let Alex do what he’s doing in the division. And you know what? If he wipes out the entire division and we are sitting here, who’s next? Then let him move up to heavyweight and do some type of super fight there.
Dana White via Kevin Iole’s YouTube channel
Pereira has already fought and defeated some of the biggest threats in the light heavyweight division. Magomed Ankalaev might be one of the fighters who stylistically can beat the champion. However, the UFC doesn’t have plans to make that fight anytime soon. On the other hand, in the heavyweight division, everybody wants to see the super fight between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones.
Jones is currently slated to fight Stipe Miocic later this year. After that, the UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is in line for a title unification bout. However, if fans push for the fight and UFC likes the idea, it won’t be surprising to see Pereira vs. Jones next year. On the other hand, MMA isn’t the only sport that Pereira is interested in going forward.
Top UFC heavyweight warns Alex Pereira about potentially moving to boxing
Alex Pereira‘s shift from kickboxing to MMA greatly benefited him. Not only did he win two championship belts, but he also amassed a humongous fan base. Now, the 37-year-old is looking for new challenges, and boxing seems to be the one that has intrigued him.
Alex Pereira (via X)Pereira was invited to try boxing by top heavyweight Anthony Joshua, which the Brazilian took positively. Recently, in an interview, Tom Aspinall was asked about the situation, to which the Brit gave a perfect response. According to Aspinall, it would be very hard for Pereira to survive against top boxers.
I mean he’s got good hands. But I think good hands in MMA and actual traditional boxing style is completely different. I’m not saying he can’t win but it’s different mate.
Tom Aspinall via Froch on Fighting YouTube channel
Aspinall himself has expressed interest in fighting Alex Pereira in the future. If he were to defeat Jon Jones and become the heavyweight title, the dynamics of Pereira’s fantasy move to heavyweight would shift dramatically. While fans look forward to the blockbuster battle between Jones and Pereira, Aspinall vs. Pereira also packs a punch.
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