Dana White Leaves The Door Open for Alex Pereira at Heavyweight
Dana White has weighed in on Alex Pereira’s potential move up to heavyweight. The Brazilian, who has already attained two-division glory in the UFC, is now the current and two-time light heavyweight champion.
Since reclaiming the 205-pound throne last year by dismantling Magomed Ankalaev in 80 seconds at UFC 320, “Poatan” has teased a move up. For his heavyweight debut, he wanted to take on Jon Jones at the White House on June 14. Although White hasn’t seconded the Jones bout fully, he’s kept the door open for Pereira to move up to the 265-pound division.
This past weekend, when White was asked at the UFC Houston post-fight presser if he wants to see “Poatan” defend his light heavyweight belt or compete at heavyweight, the UFC CEO lauded Pereira and said:
“He’s one of those guys that always steps up, does whatever we need him to do. Whatever that guy wants to do, we would work with him.”
Check out Dana White’s comments below: (5:43)
Meanwhile, recent rumors suggest that reigning 265-pound titleholder Tom Aspinall, who is recovering from a serious eye injury, may be asked to vacate, and if the Brit decides to do so, Pereira and Ciryl Gane will fight for the heavyweight championship.
Dana White doesn’t feel the same way about Khamzat Chimaev
Although Dana White is open to supporting Alex Pereira’s plan to move up to heavyweight in pursuit of becoming the first three-division champion in the UFC, he does not feel the same way about middleweight titleholder Khamzat Chimaev attempting a similar path.
Borz,” who became champion last year at UFC 319 in August, is yet to make his first title defense but has already voiced his desire to move up and fight Pereira, capture a second belt, and, if allowed, he also doesn’t mind fighting at heavyweight.
However, Dana White wants Chimaev to defend his 185-pound strap and then think about two or three-division glory. At the UFC Houston post-fight presser, he said:
“I’d like to see him defend his title before he talks about jumping around. You’re gonna keep going up in weight divisions without defending?”
Check out Dana White’s comments below:
