UFC News: Pereira dispels UFC 300 heavyweight rumors but is open to future plans

Alex Pereira explains mystery IG post; Talks Potential Tom Aspinall fight

Current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has dismissed rumors of him challenging a third weight class at the UFC 300.

Rumors and speculation surfaced following Pereira’s social media post earlier this month, which hinted at a potential weight class change on Instagram. Simultaneously, interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall shared an image suggesting a potential future matchup between him and Pereira.

However, in a recent interview with The Mac Life, the former middleweight champion swiftly shut down the notion. Pereira also explained how such significant divisional transitions require planning and preparation on his part.

“Well, [I] fought at middleweight and then [I] had to listen to [my] body to go up and fight at light heavyweight,” Pereira said through his translator. “[I’m] a fighter bro, [I’m] willing to fight. [I’ll] fight anybody, anywhere. But, this kind of thing – [I have] the height and [am] basically the size of a heavyweight, but this is the kind of thing that has to be programmed, put some work in, it’s not something to just jump in on an adventure like that.”

While Pereira is open to the idea in the future, he wants to focus on reigning in the 205-pound division after securing the title in his last fight.

“[I] want to make [the move] the right way. [I] can definitely fight at heavyweight – maybe someday for the future. But it’s gotta be something [that’s] well-planned. So right now [I’m] focused on [my] light heavyweight reign.”

Pereira’s first title defense as the light heavyweight champion is anticipated to be against former champion Jamahal Hill. Hill, who is returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon, holds a professional MMA record of 12 wins, one loss and zero contests.

The matchup, if confirmed, is expected to take place next year at UFC 300 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Elite career

Since his arrival in November 2021, Pereira has been considered among the most active UFC fighters who have competed at an elite level. During his entire career, the “Poatan” has only lost two times. His string of victories this year also places him among the select few who have held UFC titles in multiple weight classes.

In 2022 and 2023, the 36-year-old fought three times. Pereira’s career in the Octagon started in the middleweight division, where he secured gold with a knockout victory over Israel Adesanya on April 8, 2022. Before that, he also outpointed Bruno Silva in March and later reigned victorious over Sean Strickland in July.

However, Adesanya returned the favor at UFC 287 in November 2022, defeating Pereira via knockout. This was Pereira’s second loss, as the first came in his debut fight against Quemuel Ottoni at Jungle Fight 82 back in 2015.

In 2023, Pereira had a successful light heavyweight debut against Jan Błachowicz at UFC 291, defeating him via split decision. The victory propelled him to a fight against former champion Jiří Procházka, whom he also defeated via knockout main event of UFC 295, claiming the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 295 in November.

After Pereira shut down rumors of his champion-versus-champion matchup with Aspinall, only three fights are confirmed for UFC 300 for now. Prochazka will return to the ring with Aleksandar Rakic, top prospect Bo Nickal will face Cody Brundage and former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will take on former title challenger Paulo Costa.