Adesanya Questions Pereira Staying At Heavyweight

Israel Adesanya thinks Alex Pereira is making a mistake by staying at heavyweight.

Pereira confirmed he will remain in the division despite his recent loss to Ciryl Gane, with a fight against power puncher Sergei Pavlovich set for UFC 335 later this year. Speaking on his PRECISION podcast with Demetrious Johnson, Adesanya questioned the decision and urged his former rival to drop back to light heavyweight instead.

Adesanya On Pereira's Weight Class Decision

According to MMA Junkie, Adesanya said he does not understand why Pereira would not return to light heavyweight after the Gane loss. Pereira previously mentioned dropping back to 205 pounds if he loses to Pavlovich, a contingency plan Adesanya called out. He said the move to light heavyweight should happen now, not after another heavyweight defeat, per the report.

Adesanya argued that light heavyweight is where Pereira does his best work and pointed out the Brazilian never lost the belt at that weight — he vacated it to move up. That means an immediate title shot would be waiting for him if he returned, Adesanya said on the podcast.

The former middleweight champion also addressed Pereira's size, noting that critics only started talking about weight cutting after Adesanya knocked him out at middleweight. He suggested 205 pounds is the sweet spot for Pereira's frame and health, especially since he has not cut weight in some time.

Pereira faces Pavlovich at UFC 335 with his heavyweight future hanging in the balance.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Israel Adesanya questions former rival Alex Pereira staying in heavyweight division