Alex Pereira, a former middleweight champion in the UFC, has declared his intention to switch weight classes and compete in the light heavyweight division. The Brazilian sees this as the ideal time to compete as a light heavyweight because he feels he has contributed to the middleweight division.At UFC 287, Pereira most recently lost the middleweight championship to New Zealander Israel Adesanya after being submitted in the second round. ‘Poatan’ had won the previous three matches in their series of four combat sports contests.
‘Poatan’ revealed his future ambitions in a video that was posted to his YouTube page. Pereira gave the following reasons for switching to the 205-pound weight division:
“My upcoming match will be at 205 pounds.” Yes, you heard correctly. I believe I completed my task, and I feel good enough to increase to 205. I always made weight in this division 185. However, the time has come for me to move on to the next tier.
Alex Pereira forewarned his arch foe Israel Adesanya even though he was unable to yet reveal who would face him next. The Nigerian-born Kiwi was reminded by “Poatan” that he could always earn 185 pounds, discouraging Adesanya from provoking him in any way.
“You all witnessed Adesanya’s provocation following the fight… Let’s watch to see how he acts. I’ll always be capable to producing 185… The UFC and my promoters will make it happen if I demand to fight him again right away.
Jamahal Hill predicts “dominant victory” over Alex Pereira at 205lbs
In the post-fight scrum at UFC 287, Dana White made a suggestion that Alex Pereira would move up to 205 pounds. Recently, ‘Poatan’ confirmed the same in a video posted to his YouTube channel.
Poatan’s enormous size and stature have generated debate within the MMA community. Many well-known UFC figures have expressed amazement at Pereira’s success in reducing to middleweight.But now that the Brazilian has confirmed he will participate in a weight class that is more comfortable for him, rumours about who his potential next opponent will be have started.
The light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill recently voiced his enthusiasm to welcome the former middleweight champion to the 205-pound division, even if Pereira hasn’t yet had a fight scheduled.
Hill was asked about maybe going up against a “scary striker” like Alex Pereira in a recent interview with InsideFighting. He responded:
I’m available to everyone. A decisive win for me. Dominant. He’s going to submit to me.
