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Alex Pereira’s Boxing Ambitions – Is It The Right Move?

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Oct 18, 2025 10:14 AM ET

Alex Pereira, the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, is laying the groundwork for a transition into boxing.

After a victory this month at UFC 320 where he knocked out Magomed Ankalaev to reclaim his light heavyweight title, the attention has turned towards Alex’s next move. He is out injured after breaking his foot in the Ankalaev fight, which is expected to keep him out until next year. Alex has indicated his desire to appear on the UFC White House event in June 2026. He has dismissed a fight against UFC Heavyweight Tom Aspinall, calling out Jon Jones instead. Jones has also previously said that is a bigger fight from a commercial and legacy point of view.

Alex is not a novice to boxing, holding a professional win from 2017 when he knocked out Marcelo de Souza Cruz. Pereira has stated he would like to take on Oleksandr Usyk, the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. Meanwhile, Jake Paul called him out after he stopped Mike Perry, as Alex has eyes on entering the sport.

Alex Pereira confirmed he’ll move to boxing after his time in the UFC

“I’m definitely going to box. I made it clear that I want to fight boxing. When I got into kickboxing, they didn’t believe in me. MMA, same thing. Boxing, they’ll say the same. I’m used to it.

I don’t… pic.twitter.com/OMSaMSlmI0
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) October 16, 2025

A Gamble

The greatest benefit for Pereira is the financial upside of boxing’s crossover fights, which are higher than UFC payouts. A bout against Usyk or even Paul would secure a career-high payday for Pereira, potentially guaranteeing him tens of millions of dollars. Conor McGregor reportedly earned $100 million for his Floyd Mayweather fight, more than his entire UFC earnings.

Beyond the money, boxing offers a unique legacy opportunity to become a three-sport conqueror (Kickboxing, MMA, Boxing). That would truly make Pereira on the best in combat sports, even mind just MMA.

And yet, a boxing move threatens to undermine his current status as a reigning UFC champion. In a pure boxing match against a generational talent like Oleksandr Usyk, Pereira’s chances are viewed as minuscule.

The biggest challenge, though, is the UFC’s control; unless his contract expires, he cannot pursue the most lucrative boxing opportunities without Dana White’s approval, giving the UFC ultimate control over the timing.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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