Alex Pereira made a bold statement about his future plans just hours before his sensational victory at UFC 320.
Known as ‘Poatan’, he reclaimed his light heavyweight title with an emphatic knockout win over Magomed Ankalaev on Saturday night.
Following the fight, Dana White addressed the potential next steps for one of MMA`s brightest stars.
Pereira clearly outlined his 2026 aspirations during a pre-fight discussion with the UFC CEO.
Alex Pereira Sets Sights on Heavyweight Division
Dana White detailed the unexpected conversation he had with Alex Pereira leading up to UFC 320.
“I went over to the PI [UFC Performance Institute], and he was there,” the UFC boss recounted.
“I asked him, ‘Well, you’re the last guy I expected to see here today. What are you doing here?’”
“They told me, ‘We want to fight at heavyweight’. I replied, ‘How about we win tonight first? Focus on tonight, and then we can talk about heavyweight.’”
“I don’t know. There are still fights in this division, but we’ll see.”
Dana White Expresses Concerns About Pereira`s Heavyweight Jump
Dana White is not particularly enthusiastic about Alex Pereira`s idea of moving up to the heavyweight division.
The MMA mogul is apprehensive about how the former UFC middleweight champion would fare against the sport`s biggest competitors.
“Probably because he was a middleweight and he’s planning to jump up two weight classes in the UFC,” White explained when questioned about his reluctance regarding Pereira’s heavyweight ambitions.
“It’s not like jumping up two weight classes in boxing. It’s a significant leap.”
“I simply don’t see the logic, unless he intends to retire, in throwing him into the heavyweight division.”
