Alex Pereira may have unintentionally inserted himself into the UFC heavyweight title conversation and has now cleared up his imminent plans.
The UFC‘s saga involving Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall has continued on now for several months, but has now seemingly reached its culmination.
Earlier this week, Jones admitted that he is not excited by a fight against Aspinall, heavily hinting that he will not fight the interim champion after months of delaying negotiations.
And with that, UFC boss Dana White admitted that he will move on from the potential fight, despite attempting to guarantee fans for months that the fight would happen.
With Aspinall now looking for another dance partner, former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira recently shared an astonishing weight update, unintentionally adding himself to the saga.
Alex Pereira provides response to UFC heavyweight title fight rumors
Since losing his 205lb title against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 earlier this year, it seemed guaranteed that he would fight him in an immediate rematch.
Despite that, Ankalaev claimed that the Brazilian wouldn’t return to the sport as negotiations seemed to stall between the two.
And then once ‘Poatan’ updated fans on his current weight, which is over 240lbs, fans suggested that Pereira may end up fighting Aspinall next for the undisputed heavyweight title.
However, in an attempt to clear up any claims, Pereira has recently provided his fans with another update, stating that he will be fighting the Russian next regardless of whether a heavyweight move is on the horizon.
“Well, anywhere around the timeframe of September, October or November for me, it makes no difference, I just want to fight,” Pereira told MMAFighting.
“My focus right now is on fighting Ankalaev, fight that one in the division, get my belt back and then we’ll see what happens after.
“I have nothing to say to be honest with you, if I was able to fight at heavyweight right now (I’d say something), let these guys kill each other in that weight class right now and I’ll focus on light heavyweight,” he continued.
Alex Pereira has talked about a move up to heavyweight previously
Now would seem to be a perfect time for ‘Poatan’ to move up to heavyweight in an attempt to make UFC history, however, he wants redemption over Ankalaev first.
With fans missing out on Jones vs Aspinall, the next best thing would seemingly be Aspinall vs Pereira, in a fight both fighters have previously talked about.
If the Brazilian successfully reclaims his title against the Russian champion, a move up to heavyweight could come soon after.