UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira insists he will ‘definitely’ crossover to boxing in the not-so-distant future.
The Brazilian superstar blasted away Magomed Ankalaev earlier this month to regain his 205lbs belt following an upset defeat to the Russian in March.
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Pereira avenged his defeat to Ankalaev earlier this monthCredit: Getty
Pereira is now eyeing a move to heavyweight to face fellow two-weight world champion Jon Jones, but he also plans to make a splash in the squared circle.
“I am definitely going to box,” the former GLORY Kickboxing champion told Connect Cast.
“Look, I made it clear that I want to fight boxing. Same thing, right?
“When I got into kickboxing, they didn’t believe me. MMA, same thing.
“Boxing, they’ll say the same thing. But I’m used to it, I don’t care.
“I just want to go out there and fight. It’s not about aiming for more money.
“I like a challenge. I want to be the best.”
Who does Alex Pereira want to fight in boxing?
UFC fighters now have a clear path into boxing thanks to the formation of the Dana White-backed Zuffa Boxing.
The new boxing league will officially launch in January, with 12 events planned for 2026.
Shortly after the revelation, Pereira threw his hat into the ring to face undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
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Pereira is hoping to land a high-profile crossover clash with UsykCredit: GETTY
“Absolutely, I was hyped, I was happy when I heard the news [of the new promotion],” Pereira said.
“Who knows [if the fight could happen.] September. Saudi Arabia. Chama.
“I think I was the one to show interest first [in the Usyk fight]. Then Usyk said he would like to fight, too.
“He also showed interest. So now we’re both interested in the fight.
“I think it just comes down to the organisation to show interest too and make this fight happen.
“I don’t know [if it will be bigger than the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor fight in 2017].
Alex Pereira snubs Tom Aspinall, Khamzat Chimaev and Ciryl Gane as he lays out next fight plan
“I cannot tell yet. We know the level of popularity that both of those guys have.
“I think [it will be] a little step behind … Let’s see how it goes.”
Usyk had also previously expressed a desire to face ‘Poatan’.
“Maybe a show fight with Alex Pereira. Maybe. Why not? Alex wants to,” Usyk told TNT Sports in February.