The UFC’s light heavyweight champion has left some fans staggered after they read the number on his scale.
Alex Pereira is in attendance for UFC 312 fight week in order to corner Sean Strickland for his middleweight title fight in the main event.
There has been some criticism of the champion’s decision to make the trip over to Sydney, Australia when he has other pressing matters to attend to.
Next month at UFC 313, ‘Poatan’ will headline the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas when he looks to defend the 205-pound title against the man that many believe to be his biggest threat in Magomed Ankalaev.
Pereira’s training priorities have been put on hold temporarily whilst he helps out his friend and training partner in his rematch with Dricus du Plessis at the Qudos Bank Arena.
Fans react after Alex Pereira weighs in at 235-pounds during UFC 312 fight week
In a video posted by Alex Pereira on social media, the Brazilian can be seen stepping on the scales for a quick weight check now that he is just over one month out from his return to the Octagon.
It’s worth remembering at this time that ‘Poatan’ entered the UFC as a middleweight.
He fought five times at 185-pounds without ever missing the mark but decided to move up a weight class after losing the title in his rematch with Israel Adesanya at UFC 287.
With a “chama” thrown in before and after for good measure, Pereira steps on the scales which read 235-pounds, making him 30 pounds heavier than the light heavyweight championship limit.
“And this dude used to make 185,” Remarked one fan. “How the actual F— did he make 185,” Exclaimed another.
- READ MORE: Sean Strickland breaks his silence as Israel Adesanya suffers yet another stoppage defeat
Light heavyweight isn’t a big deal for Alex Pereira
Whilst 235-pounds may seem like a lot, as several of the replies to the post point out, this isn’t particularly unusual for Alex Pereira.
In fact, this appears to be a pretty normal weight for him which he is able to consistently cut down before fight night arrives.
‘Poatan’ recently appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show where his coach, Plinio Cruz, spoke about why Pereira suits the light heavyweight division so well at this stage in his career.
“For me, I think it’s better. He’s 37-years-old, he’s on his prime. He’s a kickboxer at first, he’s used to fighting regularly. I rather him fighting more often than having big gaps.”
Not only is making light heavyweight convenient for him, it allows Pereira to be as active as he wants to be.
“In this weight that he is now, this weight cut, he can fight every month.”