Alex Pereira is heading into uncharted territory at UFC Freedom 250. The former middleweight and light heavyweight champion will face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title on June 14 at the White House.
A victory would make Pereira the first fighter in UFC history to win championships in three different weight classes.
In an interview with UFC/Paramount, Pereira discussed his current weight, the benefits of competing at heavyweight, and what a third UFC title would mean to him.
Alex Pereira expects to weigh around 242 pounds
Alex Pereira has been bulking and training for several months, and his physique has been a point of interest among MMA fans. Even fellow fighters like Sean O’Malley were impressed by his new build.
Pereira said the move to heavyweight feels much more natural than his light heavyweight cut.
“I think this is the right moment. There were times when I said we could move up to heavyweight, but it would have felt a little forced. Today it doesn’t. Today it’s happening very naturally.”
“I was at 110 kilograms and dropped to 93.”
When asked what he expects to weigh for the fight, Pereira estimated he will be back near his usual walking-around weight.
“110 kilograms, probably.”
That would put Pereira at approximately 242 pounds on fight night, comfortably below the UFC heavyweight limit of 265 pounds.
He also admitted he was even heavier before camp started.
“I was heavier. I got up to 117 kilograms and then brought it down a little.”
No more difficult weight cuts
One of the biggest advantages of the move is avoiding the demanding weight cuts that followed him throughout his middleweight career.
“It helps me with my diet because I don’t have that concern anymore. When I was a middleweight it was very complicated.”
Pereira explained that the final weeks before a fight often required major sacrifices.
“About a month before a fight I had to reduce my food intake a lot. Maybe it left me a little weaker.”
“The weight cut was a little aggressive. Now I don’t have that concern, which is very important to me.”
The extra freedom allows him to focus more on training and recovery rather than managing his weight.
Pereira focused on history against Ciryl Gane
Pereira has studied Gane extensively and expects a competitive matchup against one of the division’s most athletic heavyweights.
“I think it’s a good fight. I’ve watched some of his fights. I’ve seen how he behaves and how he moves.”
“For a heavyweight, he’s a very agile guy.”
Despite that, Pereira remains confident in his own abilities.
“I think I have a very good game. I consider myself an intelligent athlete and I’ll show that on fight night.”
He also pointed to his constant self-analysis as one of the keys behind his success.
“For those who know me, they know I’m always watching fights and always correcting myself. I think that’s the difference.”
“Everything I’ve done is there for people to see. My aggressiveness is fundamental.”
Can He Be the First Triple Champ?
Pereira acknowledged the significance of potentially becoming a three-division champion.
“We’re talking about something nobody has done before, and I’m close to doing it.”
“Every time you accomplish something big, people pay more attention. The media pays more attention.”
The unique setting of UFC Freedom 250 has only added to the occasion.
“For me, it will be something very special. It’s unique. “We were standing next to the president and he said, ‘This will only happen once.'”
“There are several UFC belts, but this one is different. This belt will symbolize everything I’ve been through and all the difficulties it took to get here.”