Alex Pereira will be sticking around with UFC for many years to come, and Michael Bisping thinks “Poatan” made the right call for himself.
During an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Pereira revealed that he recently inked a new eight-fight deal with UFC. The former light heavyweight and middleweight champion said it’ll likely be his final combat sports contract.
There has been some debate within the MMA community over whether or not Pereira’s decision to stay locked in with UFC long term was wise. Bisping uploaded a new video on his YouTube channel showing support for Pereira’s decision (via MMAJunkie).
“I assume he was making somewhere around $3 million to $4 million per fight,” Bisping said. “This new deal, which probably does lock him up for the rest of his combat sports life, is probably going to be around the $5-6 million range. Who knows? I’m guessing, I’m spit balling, but that would not surprise me. And look at this, Alex Pereira is not complaining.
“He is happy, and it’s the same story with all the guys at the top of the sport. I know just recently a lot of people have been talking sh*t about the UFC, but funnily enough, the champs, the people at the top of the sport, the best on the planet and in the division, the guys that drive the sport, they’re not b*tching, they’re not complaining, and I wasn’t back in the day.”
Pereira’s next bout is scheduled to take place on the UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House on June 14. “Poatan” will meet Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship.
If Pereira emerges victorious, it would pave the way for an undisputed heavyweight title fight against Tom Aspinall. Currently, Aspinall is the main heavyweight champion, but he is recovering following double eye surgery.
Do you think Alex Pereira made the right call extending his UFC deal for eight fights? Sound off in the comments below.