Alex Pereira, after his defeat against Israel Adesanya at UFC 287, is reportedly considering moving up to the light heavyweight division. Pereira had previously defeated Adesanya in a middleweight bout, winning the championship title. However, Adesanya avenged his loss by knocking out Pereira in the second round of their UFC 287 fight. The loss has forced Pereira to consider moving up to the light heavyweight division, which could provide him with new opportunities to showcase his skills in a different weight class.
After his loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287, Dana White hinted at the post-fight press conference that Alex Pereira might be moving up to the 205-pound division instead of pursuing a third fight with Adesanya. While Adesanya is looking towards a potential fight with Khamzat Chimaev, it seems that Pereira may be shifting his focus towards a different weight class altogether.
ADESANYA GETS ONE BACK! HE KNOCKS PEREIRA OUT COLD! 😱 #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/P01reBg6je
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
Dana White Drops Hint About Alex Pereira’s Future Plans in Light Heavyweight Division
“Honestly, I think that Pereira probably moves to 205 after this fight,” Dana White said at UFC 287 Post-fight Press Conference. “He’s a monster . You know I know that he had he still had like two pounds to cut, leading up to there was like an hour left of the weigh-in. So yeah I mean I’m not saying he’s moving to 205 but I would assume he is; you guys can ask him himself. It wouldn’t surprise me.”
When he was asked once more about Pereira’s possible move, White responded:
“I would bet anything he moves to 205 after this fight.”
White is gushing about Miami and how great this city is.
White says that Miami will likely be an annual location going forward: "This place is at a whole other level, it's incredible."
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 9, 2023
Alex Pereira has been struggling with the process of making weight in the middleweight division, as revealed by an image of him cutting weight three weeks before his recent fight. Pereira had previously disclosed that he had to shed almost 50 pounds to make weight for his UFC 281 title bout against Adesanya. Moving up to the light heavyweight division would reduce the weight cut by 20 pounds, making it still challenging, but more feasible for the fighter.
Alex Pereira’s past achievements as a UFC titleholder suggest that he will be a top contender in the light heavyweight division. Alex Pereira could face tough opponents in the light heavyweight division, including former champions like Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka, as well as ranked contenders Magomed Ankalaev, Aleksandar Rakic, and Anthony Smith. It remains to be seen how he will fare against these top-level fighters, but his striking skills and power could make him a formidable opponent for anyone in the division. Pereira’s ultimate aim is to challenge the current champion Jamahal Hill for the UFC title.
What are your predictions for how Alex Pereira will perform in the light heavyweight division?
