Alex Pereira has signed a massive eight-fight deal with the UFC and believes the promotion took good care of him.
“Poatan,” a two-division UFC champion, decided to vacate his light heavyweight strap and is now moving up to 265 pounds in pursuit of becoming the first fighter to attain three-division glory in the UFC.
The Brazilian will make his UFC heavyweight debut on the White House card on June 14 and will lock horns with Ciryl Gane for the interim 265-pound championship. Recently, on The Ariel Helwani Show, Alex Pereira disclosed his new UFC deal. He said:
Honestly, I just wanted to let go of my belt and fight heavyweights, maybe even fight for a belt. But even if it was a regular fight, I just expressed that I wanted to do a heavyweight fight, and they really took good care of me. The way they gave me this last contract was so good that I left it open for them to do whatever they wanted. It didn’t matter.” [h/t: Ariel Helwani]
Check out Alex Pereira’s comments below:
Pereira was amazed by the new offer, didn’t have to think twice about vacating his light heavyweight title, and was game to fight at heavyweight, even if it was not for an interim or undisputed championship.
“Poatan” also confessed in the same interview that although he can still make 205 pounds, he would like to finish his career fighting in the heavyweight division.
I could make light heavyweight again, but I don’t think there’s anything new for me there. Many guys just go on the heat of the moment, and when they lose, they come back to the weight division, but I’ve been expressing for a long time that I’ve been wanting to fight a heavyweight. I think I’ll stay here.” [h/t: Ariel Helwani]
Check out Alex Pereira’s comments below:
Alex Pereira believes he will fight Jon Jones down the line
Although Jon Jones wants the UFC to release him if they feel he has nothing more to offer, “Poatan” believes the promotion won’t let go of “Bones” anytime soon.
And the Brazilian still has his crosshairs on the American and hopes to fight Jones sooner or later. He told Ariel Helwani:
I believe it happens because he has to be released from the UFC, and I don’t think the UFC is going to release him [Jon Jones] anytime soon. If he wants to fight, who’s going to be against him? It’s going to be against me.” [h/t: Ariel Helwani]
Check out Alex Pereira’s comments below:
