Alex Pereira Not Interested in Return to Middleweight Division

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Alex Pereira has seemingly moved on from the Ultimate Fighting Championship's middleweight division for good.

Pereira was just three fights and a year into his stint with the promotion when he secured a middleweight title shot against Israel Adesanya. “Poatan” won the strap, lost it in a rematch, moved up to light heavyweight and is now slated to make another gold bid — all within the span of another 12 months.

As Pereira goes into his UFC 295 clash against Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light heavyweight belt, the Brazilian seems to have moved on from the prospect of competing for the middleweight strap down the line.

The former two-division kickboxing champion recently shared that he has no plans of cutting back down to 185 pounds, especially with the recent change in the title picture.

“Poatan” would have considered a trilogy clash against former champ and long-time rival Adesanya, who was dethroned by Sean Strickland in a huge upset at UFC 293. The Brazilian, who earned his initial title shot with a brutal Round 1 knockout win over Strickland, now considers the Anaheim, California, native his friend. The two seemed to have formed a relationship following their meeting inside the Octagon and have even trained together on a few occasions.

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https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/A...ted-in-Return-to-Middleweight-Division-191238

 

[GearSolidMetal]

He's in his mid-30s so its been increasingly difficult for him to cut those 20 extra pounds, which is insane since he's already one of the biggest - if not the biggest - 205er in the division.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

@BoxerMaurits is the biggest Poatan fan here... I'm curious on his thoughts... and maybe a picture next to him so he can see what a real Alpha Sherdogger looks like.

 

[SpiderCrawl]

He's just a normal guy at 205

 

[Gabe]

He's just a normal guy at 205

He’s huge for 205 I can’t believe Izzy slept him.

 

[BigTruck]

@BoxerMaurits is the biggest Poatan fan here... I'm curious on his thoughts... and maybe a picture next to him so he can see what a real Alpha Sherdogger looks like.

I don't think Poatan would have the balls to get anywhere near @BoxerMaurits.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

I don't think Poatan would have the balls to get anywhere near @BoxerMaurits.

 

[BoxerMaurits]

@BoxerMaurits is the biggest Poatan fan here... I'm curious on his thoughts... and maybe a picture next to him so he can see what a real Alpha Sherdogger looks like.

I don't think Poatan would have the balls to get anywhere near @BoxerMaurits.

What?!?!

 

[BigTruck]

What?!?!

That's right, he was standing behind you with his security watching you like hawks!

Also guy right behind your head is clearly taking your picture to sell online.

 

[BoxerMaurits]

That's right, he was standing behind you with his security watching you like hawks!

Also guy right behind your head is clearly taking your picture to sell online.

He’s a fan!

 

[Mmmmmmma1234]

If Jiri ko him he will change his tune quick.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

What?!?!

Did he ask for your autograph?

 

[Pierced7681]

He already beat Jan who was the worst matchup for him at 205, no point in killing himself going back to 185. Is Alex supposed to be scared of 205 strikers like Jiri and Jamahal? Lol

actually I could see Ankalaev giving Alex a tough fight, but the ufc doesn’t care for him so he’ll have to get a huge streak going in order to get that fight.

 

[Senzo Tanaka]

No. He's big enough to be at 205. He struggled to make 185 and just because you can, doesn't mean you should. He'll still have struggle making 205 too with the added muscle but that's a better fit for him.

 

[Poatan Power]

I cannot imagine cutting an extra 20 lbs lol

 

[Eternalwarriorking]

Wouldn't fight strickland again? This is turning into the ultimate friendship championship

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

He’s huge for 205 I can’t believe Izzy slept him.

maybe that's exactly why Izzy slept him

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

No. He's big enough to be at 205. He struggled to make 185 and just because you can, doesn't mean you should. He'll still have struggle making 205 too with the added muscle but that's a better fit for him.

the thing is, is his chin going to struggle against those bigger hitters? he already looked much more tame vs Jan then he ever did at 185lbs. at 185lbs he was the hammer and everyone else was the nail and you could see that play out in almost all of his UFC fights. against Jan it didn't really look like he had the superior firepower the way it did at 185lbs.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Wouldn't fight strickland again? This is turning into the ultimate friendship championship

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

He’s huge for 205 I can’t believe Izzy slept him.

Never Forget