Alex Pereira, a prominent and highly active fighter in the UFC, frequently steps up for high-profile matchups, averaging four fights per year since his debut in November 2021. ‘Poatan,’ a former middleweight champion and two-time light heavyweight titleholder, has made an unprecedented move, voluntarily vacating his 205-pound belt to pursue a third UFC championship in the heavyweight division.
He is slated to face former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in the co-main event of UFC 250 Freedom. This historic card is scheduled for June 14 at the White House, with an interim heavyweight title on the line.
Before making his walk from the Oval Office to the Octagon for this landmark fight, Pereira finalized a new eight-fight contract with the promotion.
Pereira expressed his primary motivation for the move: “Honestly, I just wanted to let go of my belt and fight heavyweight and fight for a belt.” He added that the promotion was very receptive to his wishes and “took really good care of me.”
Confirming his satisfaction, Pereira stated, “They gave me a new contract. I’m actually really, really happy with my new contract. I want to thank Mick, Hunter, and Dana White for it. With this new deal they gave to me, I don’t care about letting go of the belt or anything like that. The way they gave me this last contract was so good that I’ve entrusted them to do whatever they want. It doesn’t matter.”
