UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his title this Saturday when he faces Khalil Rountree at the UFC 307 tournament.
Pereira had hinted at cutting back to heavyweight to challenge Dricus Du Plessis for the belt. However, he has since changed his mind and has decided to remain where he is
“I would choose to defend my belt,” Pereira said. “Because it takes a planned work to cut down in weight, and it takes planned work to move up as well, but it’s perfect for this division.”
The fighter also discussed moving to boxing and teased UFC CEO Dana White. However, the promoter is not happy with this idea.
“I don’t know.” When asked about the champion Alex Pereira heading to boxing, Dana White stated, “I mean, when you look at where he’s at right now, he’s at the top of this game. He’s about to break [Rousey’s record] if he wins the fight on Saturday night. God knows what other records he could break here. He’s 38 years old, which is even more impressive when you add that on top of anything else.”
White said he is not supportive of the light heavyweight champion moving to boxing as it weakens the division. He stated that Pereira could break Ronday Rousey’s three fastest title defence records.
He continued, “I don’t know [if he will fight in boxing]. I’m not even thinking about that kind of stuff, I’m not thinking about crossover fights. I hate crossover fights, I respect the fact that he wants to do it. I know there’s tons of other fights that probably want to do it. But, I want everybody to stay in their own lane.”
Pereira left the middleweight division after losing a rematch to Israel Adesanya in April 2023. The fighter soon shifted to light heavyweight and defeated Jiri Prochazka via knockout to win the championship title and belt.
The Brazilian defended his UFC title twice in 2024, stopping Jamahal Hill and Prochazka by knockout in a rematch. The fighter’s recent decision to face middleweight champion DDP was met with much criticism, but he is still considering competing against du Plessis after facing Rountree.
Although the UFC has yet to say who’s next in line at either division, Magomed Ankalaev is expected to earn a shot at the winner of Alex Pereira vs Aleksandar Rakicat UFC 308 later this month. Sean Strickland, who was part of Pereira’s camp for UFC 307, hopes to face du Plessis next for middleweight gold.
Pereira met UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones at The Sphere in Las Vegas during UFC 306. Despite an online campaign for “Poatan” to go to heavyweight and possibly face Jones for a third belt, he’s more interested in training with the UFC legend.
“He’s made it pretty clear that he’s only doing one more fight and retiring,” Pereira said. “And I’m not even part of this division, so I would be far from doing that fight. And I have an open mind, so training and learning from him is something I would absolutely do.”
