Former UFC Middleweight Champion Alex Pereira looks poised to move on and move up. Going forward, he’s looking to compete in the Light Heavyweight Division and will likely be targeting the class’ titleholder, Jamahel Hill.
Alex Pereira via UFC – Ultimate Fighting Championship YouTube
However, UFC President Dana White says that the Brazilian star might be jumping the gun a little bit. If he has his way, Pereira will fight his way up to a title shot. Following his second-round TKO loss at UFC 287, it appears the 35-year-old has a lot of questions to answer now. At least, in White’s eyes.
“You put him in title contention and then he has to beat someone to even be considered in title contention,” White said at the UFC Kansas City post-fight press conference (via LowKick MMA). “He’s got to move to 205 and beat a real guy, so that’s what we’re looking at right now, getting a real guy.”
Dana White via TheMacLife YouTube
Even still, Pereira and Jamahal Hill have chirped back and forth at one another, and the UFC faithful would certainly welcome that bout. Although he is a former holder of the Middleweight crown, Periera fought at about 20 pounds heavier previously during his MMA and kickboxing career
“Many people questioned [me cutting weight] but I always went there and fulfilled my obligation, but now is a great moment to move up a division,” Pereira said on his YouTube channel… “I’m moving up a division now, and that’s my decision, but I’m sure that if I stayed in this division I could fight him immediately.”
“Let’s see how he behaves. I’m not going up because I can’t make the weight anymore. I can make the weight at any moment,” he declared.
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As of right now, Hill does not have his first title defense booked. However, it appears that Czech fighter Jiri Prochazka (29-3-1) is the leading contender to get the first shot.
Prior to falling to Adesanya, Alex Pereira (7-2) had defeated his Nigerian opponent in their initial meeting by fifth-round TKO. That gave him his short-lived title run, as he was dropped easily in their UFC 287 re-match.
However, prior to the two tilts with Izzy, Pereira had won six straight MMA fights. That included a first-round knockout of Sean Strickland, a decision win over Bruno Silva, and a KO over Andreas Michaildis. If he doesn’t take on Hill in his division debut, fellow contenders Magomed Ankalaev and Jiri Prochazka are favored as potential opponents.