Alex Pereira is giving up one UFC title, likely with a purpose to pursue an unprecedented third in an effort to cement his UFC legacy.
The legendary Brazilian needed just 4 UFC fights and a yr within the promotion to win his middleweight title back in 2022 when he defeated Israel Adesanya. And after losing that belt, he moved as much as light-heavyweight to win a second belt, before making three defences in seven months.
Now, he appears to be making the move to heavyweight, with Dana White confirming via Instagram live tonight that Jiri Porchazka and Carlos Ulberg are set to face off within the principal event of UFC 327 for the newly-vacated belt.
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Dana White confirms Alex Pereira will vacate his light-heavyweight title as he confirms UFC 327 principal event
Dana White has tonight announced that Alex Pereira is stepping away from his 205lb belt, but didn’t explicitly state the two-time champion’s intention to maneuver as much as heavyweight to pursue a 3rd world title. He confirmed other fights for UFC 327 and teased a UFC White House announcement for next week.
In Pereira’s place, former champion Jiri Prochazka will look to say gold again when he faces top contender Carlos Ulberg within the principal event.
The Miami show takes place on April 11 on the Kaseya Center, with Joshua Van making his first flyweight title defense against the surging Tatsuro Taira within the co-main event. It’s a star-studded show, with Dominick Reyes and Johnny Walker also involved in light-heavyweight motion.
White took to Instagram at around 11pm Eastern to verify the UFC 327 principal event, without explicitly mentioning Pereira in any respect. He also confirmed a Bellator legends fight between Patricio Pitbull and Aaron Pico in addition to Mateusz Gamrot vs Esteban Ribovics and Beneil Dariush vs Manuel Torres.
Pereira recently tipped the scales at a whopping 243lb, after starting his octagon profession by making the 185lb limit to face Israel Adesanya. He had been called out by Jon Jones when the American was angling for a return on the UFC White House event, however it appears that fight is now off the table.