Alex Pereira’s future inside the UFC may be drifting in an unexpected direction, at least according to longtime commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan.
While the reigning light heavyweight champion has clear contenders lining up at 205 pounds, recent developments suggest that Pereira’s next appearance might not happen in his current division at all.
A Shift in the Conversation Around Pereira
Pereira recently acknowledged that plans tied to the rumored UFC White House event are no longer on the table for him. That admission sparked fresh discussion about what comes next, and Rogan believes heavyweight chatter has begun circulating behind the scenes.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan explained that Pereira’s name is now being mentioned alongside some of the sport’s biggest heavyweights.
“There’s a lot of chatter about him fighting in the heavyweight division now,” Rogan said of Pereira on a recent episode of his “Joe Rogan Experience.”
“There’s a lot of chatter about him perhaps even fighting Ciryl Gane. I don’t know how much is true, I haven’t talked to Dana (White) about it. But it’s not an illogical move.
Rogan pointed to Pereira’s current physical condition as a key reason why such speculation exists.
“He’s 240 pounds right now, 240 plus. Make no mistake about it, that guy can knock out heavyweights. No doubt about it. He hits harder than anyone they’ve ever recorded.”
Ciryl Gane remains one of the most prominent names in the heavyweight division. The former interim champion last appeared at UFC 321, where his title bout with Tom Aspinall ended prematurely due to an accidental eye poke in the opening round. The fight was ruled a no contest, and an immediate rematch has been discussed, though Aspinall has not yet received medical clearance.
Despite that uncertainty, Gane’s position near the top of the heavyweight ladder makes him a logical candidate if Pereira truly explores a move up in weight.
Back at light heavyweight, Pereira has no shortage of challengers. Carlos Ulberg and Jiri Prochazka are both fresh off notable wins and remain in line for potential title shots. However, Pereira’s openness to bigger ambitions has kept the focus elsewhere.
Whether the UFC chooses to prioritize divisional order or lean into the intrigue of a high profile heavyweight experiment remains to be seen.
For now, Rogan’s comments have added fuel to a growing discussion that Alex Pereira’s next fight could look very different from what fans initially expected.
