Alex Pereira believes signing a new eight-fight contract with the UFC made relinquishing the light heavyweight title a non-issue — and revealed the deal could be the last of his career.
Speaking on the The Ariel Helwani Show, Pereira explained that he went to UFC management and simply told them he wanted to move up to heavyweight. The rest, he said, came together smoothly.
Honestly, it was an easy choice. When I expressed myself that I wanted to go to heavyweight, of course I had to let go of one of the belts. They gave me a new contract. I’m really, really happy with my new contract. Thank you Mick, Hunter, White.
Pereira confirmed the new deal runs eight fights, with UFC Freedom 250 on June 14th counting as the first. When asked whether this is likely his final UFC contract, he gave a simple answer: “I think so.”
The Belt Was Never the Point
Pereira vacated the light heavyweight title with no guaranteed opponent and no guarantee the heavyweight fight would even come with a belt attached. He says none of that factored into his thinking.
I just said that I wanted to go to heavyweight. I know they don’t like when you hold the divisions — if you lock both, it makes it hard for them to match fights. So I basically let go of my belt. I didn’t know with who or when I was going to fight.
The UFC ultimately booked him against Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship — a result Pereira describes as exceeding what he expected. He is set to become the first UFC fighter to win titles in three different weight classes if he wins on June 14, but was candid that the historic opportunity wasn’t the driving motivation.
For me, I dropped the belt. It doesn’t matter if it’s the interim or the linear title. I really just wanted to fight at heavyweight. If a belt came with it, that was already a bonus. They did more than I expected, maybe.
A Financial Foundation That Changed Everything
Pereira acknowledged that the contract security played a direct role in making the transition emotionally easy.
With the contract I have today, I don’t care about letting go of my belt,” he said. “I’m very satisfied.
The 38-year-old, who will be fighting at around 108-110 kg for the Gane bout, also addressed his age and timing directly.
“Now I’m 38 years old. I think it’s a very good moment and it has to happen now,” he said — framing the heavyweight move as deliberate and long-planned, not reactive.
Pereira previously signed an eight-fight deal ahead of UFC 300 in early 2024. This new contract signals the UFC’s continued commitment to one of its biggest stars as he chases history at heavyweight.