Alex Pereira, already a former UFC middleweight and current light heavyweight champion, is contemplating a move to heavyweight to potentially become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in three different weight classes, though this move may be delayed due to current heavyweight title fights and his expected light heavyweight title defense against Jiri Prochazka.
Alex Pereira, future three-division UFC champion?
Already a former UFC middleweight champion and the current light heavyweight champ, Pereira has made no secret of his willingness to move up in weight again in an attempt to become the first fighter in UFC history to capture a third divisional title.
And if footage released Friday of Pereira sparring MMA Fighting’s No. 9 ranked heavyweight Tai Tuivasa is any indication, “Poatan” may not be too out of his depth among the big boys.
Watch video of Pereira sparring Tuivasa below, courtesy of coach Ethan Marion.
Pereira’s longtime coach, former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira, told MMA Fighting in December that he believes Pereira would find success at heavyweight.
“If he were to move up, he would change his diet and training routine outside the camp to gain mass,” Teixeira told MMA Fighting.
“‘Poatan’ walks around 233 pounds and I think he can go to 246, but not [over that], you know? I think 242 would be good.”
For now, however, that move likely isn’t in the cards.
UFC’s two heavyweight champions are currently busy, with interim champ Tom Aspinall set to rematch Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 and champ Jon Jones expected to face Stipe Miocic in a legends bout likely in November at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Pereira, 36, meanwhile, is expected to defend his UFC light heavyweight title sometime in the second half of the year, most likely in a rematch against ex-champ Jiri Prochazka.
If Pereira is victorious, there’s no doubt the heavyweight conversation is going to pick up steam once again, especially if Jones continues to call for Pereira’s number.