Alex Pereira Chasing Three-Division Glory

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira wants to move up to the heavyweight division to add a third belt, with a view to facing Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.

Pereira is a two-weight champion, having stopped Magomed Ankalaev in his last fight at UFC 320 in October to reclaim the light heavyweight title and avenge the loss in the first bout. However, having won the middleweight and light heavyweight title, Alex has the chance to become the first fighter in UFC history to win a belt in a third weight class. He would have to beat the current champion Aspinall to do that, who is likely to rematch Ciryl Gane next after their no-contest at UFC 321 in October. Meanwhile, Alex also had eyes on facing ex-heavyweight champ Jon Jones.

“I spoke about my interest, right? I want to fight at heavyweight, but I don’t know… I mentioned the White House against Jon Jones. And I’ve even spoken about a possible fight at heavyweight for a third belt. But I don’t know, it’s not in my control. I’m also just waiting, like everyone else,” Pereira said 

The Significance

Pereira’s primary motivation is to etch his name into UFC history. While other fighters like Randy Couture (two divisions) and Amanda Nunes (two simultaneous divisions) hold significant records, no fighter has successfully captured a major championship in three separate weight classes. This achievement would instantly elevate Pereira above all others in the conversation about the most accomplished fighters of all time. It would solidify his reputation not just as a dominant striker, but as a uniquely adaptable fighter.

If Pereira were to defeat Jones after becoming a three-division champion, he would instantly become the leading candidate for the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) status, leveraging his record over Jones’ longevity. To beat a fighter like Aspinall, who combines speed, technical striking, and solid grappling, Pereira would have to prove his power translates effectively against larger, more durable opponents. However, he is also being eyed by UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev.

“I want for sure one more fight, and then I’m going to go one more weight class up. One more fight, and I move up next fight. I don’t think he wants that fight. He knows about it, the UFC knows about it, so I can’t say the things that the UFC says to me. It’s going to be disrespectful to Alex because everyone knows this guy is not my level. He’s a good striker, one of the best strikers. I give the respect to him. He has knockout power and everything, but ask whoever, 99 percent in the world who’s watching the UFC, they’re going to tell you who’s going to win that fight,” Chimaev said