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For Alex Pereira, the next chapter of his combat sports career is his most ambitious yet. Appearing in studio on Monday's edition of "The Ariel Helwani Show," the former two-division champion opened up about his decision to vacate the UFC light heavyweight title to pursue heavyweight gold. It starts against Ciryl Gane for interim gold at the UFC White House event on June 14.
The bout launches Pereira's new eight-fight deal with the company, setting him up for an opportunity that made parting ways with his light heavyweight crown a no-brainer. "Honestly, it was a pretty easy choice," Pereira told Uncrowned through an interpreter. "When I expressed that I wanted to go [up in weight], I of course had to let go of one of the belts because they gave me a new contract.
I'm really, really happy with my new contract. I want to thank [UFC matchmaker] Mick [Maynard], [UFC CBO] Hunter [Campbell] and [UFC CEO] Dana [White] for it. "With this new deal that they gave to me, I don't care about letting go of the belt or anything like that.
They took really good care of me. " From here on out, the legendary Brazilian intends to make his foray to heavyweight a permanent move. While fighters often experiment with new divisions before returning to familiar territory, Pereira, 38, insists his intentions are different.
Walking around near 245 pounds, "Poatan" believes there’s little left for him to accomplish at light heavyweight — and no real desire to continue the punishing weight cuts. "I could make light heavyweight again, but I don't think there's anything new for me there," Pereira said. "Many guys just go in the heat of the moment, and they jump a weight class, they lose, they come back.