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Alex Pereira is starting to loosen up on the microphone.
Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) Light Heavyweight champion first claimed gold in the Middleweight division before he ascended to his current superstar status. Pereira, 37, has quickly notched two title defenses under his belt but ponders the thought of becoming a simultaneous champion whether at Heavyweight or in a Middleweight return.
As soon as the current 185-pound kingpin, Dricus Du Plessis, dispatched Pereira’s old rival, Israel Adesanya, at UFC 305 (watch highlights), Pereira proclaimed his interest in reclaiming his previous title. When it comes to “Stillknocks” or Jon Jones at Heavyweight, Pereira believes the challenge couldn’t be any easier than it is below his current division.
“Dricus definitely is an easier fight than fighting Jon Jones,” Pereira told FULL SEND MMA (h/t MMA Fighting). “I think making weight will be harder than the fight, but I did stop making that weight class because I said my body needed a break two or three fights without having to make that cut.
“Now I think I’ve rested long enough, I think I can definitely do that and make the fight happen, but it depends on him,” he concluded. “I showed interest many times, but he never replies.”
Pereira’s time at Middleweight is still reflected upon with surprise throughout the community. Brazil’s “Poatan” is one of the biggest fighters at 205 pounds and his power has seen zero effects to it between weight classes.
Ultimately, Pereira just doesn’t seem to like how the South African champion acts and carries himself, which prompted an expected response.
“The way that he presents himself is always jokes when he responds,” Pereira said. “Like, he said the stuff to [Sean] Strickland, for example. He’s never serious. He’s always trolling somehow when the subject is presented to him.
“He never takes it serious, so it shows that he’s scared, you know what I mean?” he concluded. “Instead of him just saying, ‘Look, UFC. Let’s make me and Pereira fight.’ Clown.”
“A scared clown, how dare you,” Du Plessis replied on Twitter. “Now that’s taking it too far. I’ve already said I’m in to fight either you or [Strickland]. What more do you want or should I tag your translator?”
Du Plessis is expected to see Strickland as his next title challenger in a rematch of their UFC 297 clash in January 2024. Du Plessis, 30, won the title by split decision in the bout (watch highlights). Meanwhile, Pereira’s next title defense comes against Khalil Rountree Jr. in UFC 307’s main event next month (Sat., Oct. 5, 2024).
