Alex Pereira targets history with heavyweight move
Alex Pereira, the two-division UFC champion, will attempt to become the promotion's first three-division champion by moving to heavyweight for an interim title fight against Ciryl Gane. The bout is scheduled for June 14 at the UFC White House card.
Background
Pereira previously held belts at middleweight and light heavyweight. Talks of a move to heavyweight began in January 2025, when the UFC first debuted on Paramount and sought an interim champion due to heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall's eye injury.
Pereira's Statements
"The timing for the move to heavyweight is now. It’s happening very naturally."
- The fight was originally planned for the first event of 2025 but was postponed for undisclosed reasons.
- Pereira has adjusted his weight from as high as 258 pounds to approximately 242 pounds during training camp. He expects to weigh around 242 pounds on fight night.
- He noted that cutting weight to 205 pounds for light heavyweight had become taxing, and he no longer has those concerns as a heavyweight.