After a stunning performance at UFC 320, where he recaptured his light heavyweight title, Brazilian fighter Alex Pereira is now focused on a significant move to the heavyweight division. This past Saturday, the UFC returned to the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for an event that featured a highly anticipated rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Pereira. Demonstrating his skill and determination, Pereira made crucial adjustments from their previous encounter, ultimately knocking Ankalaev out in the first round and reclaiming his championship title.
Since transitioning from the middleweight to light heavyweight division, Pereira has consistently hinted at his aspirations to ascend to the heavyweight class. His ultimate goal is to become the first-ever three-weight world champion. Following his decisive victory over Ankalaev, the 38-year-old Brazilian expressed his intentions in a post-fight interview, indicating that he had prepared a callout for former heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Instead of a direct challenge, Pereira chose to dedicate his victory speech to Jones’ late brother, Arthur Jones.
In a candid moment after the fight, Pereira made it clear that he is eager to face Jones in the upcoming White House event, dismissing potential matches against Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane. “Heavyweight (is the most probable next),” Pereira stated during an interview on About Last Fight. He emphasized his desire for a “super fight” against Jon Jones, marking it as a significant moment in his career.
Pereira's callout of Jones aligns perfectly with the former champion's own aspirations. Jones has been vocal about his desire to return to the octagon during the White House event, following his early retirement earlier this year. However, UFC President Dana White has expressed reluctance about including Jones in such a pivotal event, citing trust issues regarding his participation.
Furthermore, White has also indicated his hesitation in allowing Pereira to move up to heavyweight, suggesting that there are still exciting fights for him to pursue within the light heavyweight division.
On the UFC 320 undercard, Jiri Prochazka secured an impressive victory by knocking out Khalil Rountree Jr. in the third round. However, it appears that Carlos Ulberg, who is currently on a nine-fight win streak, may be next in line for a title shot. As the landscape of the light heavyweight division continues to evolve, it remains uncertain whether Pereira's next fight will be in the heavyweight class, given his long-standing aspirations to compete at that weight, or if he will choose to defend his light heavyweight title.
As fans eagerly await Pereira's decision, the potential for a heavyweight super fight against Jon Jones adds an exciting layer to the future of the UFC, and it will be fascinating to see how the situation unfolds.
