Alex Pereira turning down Khamzat Chimaev fight would make sense, says coach

If Alex Pereira passes on the idea of fighting Khamzat Chimaev, then “Borz’s” team wouldn’t be surprised.

Chimaev has yet to defend the UFC Middleweight Championship, but that hasn’t stopped him from calling for a fight with Pereira. “Poatan” currently holds the light heavyweight gold. Chimaev and Pereira have traded barbs on social media, but UFC CEO Dana White told reporters that he’d rather see the 185-pound title be defended next.

Alan “Finfou” Nascimento, Chimaev’s coach, told MMAFighting.com that he wouldn’t expect Pereira to take the fight with Chimaev if his desire is to chase the heavyweight title.

“Risks have always existed for him, even before he was in the UFC,” Nascimento said. “For him, that doesn’t make a difference. Anyone he fights carries a risk. But for his legacy, to build a story never seen before. I would move up, fight the champion, become champion, win the third belt, and from then on, have someone build a statue of me. Every time you pass by, you ask for a blessing [laughs].”

Nascimento wouldn’t blame Pereira if he’s more intrigued by the chance to win gold in a third weight class as opposed to facing Chimaev.

“If we think from ‘Poatan’s’ side, if I were ‘Poatan’ or his coach or anyone close to him, it wouldn’t make sense to fight Chimaev,” he continued. “I’m not talking about risk. I’m simply saying that today ‘Poatan’ has the opportunity to achieve something no one has ever done, to fight for a third belt. … But for his legacy, for the history he can build, and simply because it would be something never done or seen before, I wouldn’t accept a fight with Chimaev and would obviously move up to heavyweight to fight the champion and win the third belt.”

Pereira’s next move hasn’t been determined. White has admitted that while he thinks there’s unfinished business at light heavyweight, he’s open to what Pereira prefers given his loyalty to UFC.

Do you think it’s more likely that Alex Pereira fights Khamzat Chimaev or challenges for the UFC heavyweight title? Share your thoughts in the comments below.