Alex Pereira’s New UFC Deal Promises Much

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Mar 17, 2026 7:03 AM ET

Alex Pereira has signed a lucrative eight-fight contract extension with the UFC, securing his long-term future with the company.

The new deal reportedly includes a significant financial raise, providing the 38-year-old Brazilian with the stability to pursue a historic third divisional title before the end of his career. Pereira’s decision to vacate his light heavyweight title earlier this month came after he avenged his previous loss to Magomed Ankalaev with a first-round TKO at UFC 320 in October 2025.

Pereira will now make his heavyweight debut at UFC Freedom 250 (The White House Card) on June 14, 2026. He is set to face former interim champion Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title. The interim title was created after the full champion Tom Aspinall continues to recover from a severe eye injury (bilateral Brown’s syndrome) sustained during a first-round no-contest against Gane last October. Aspinall is not expected to return until late 2026.

Pereira Reacts

“Honestly, I just wanted to let go of the [light heavyweight] belt and fight heavyweights, maybe even fight for [another] belt. But even if it was a regular [heavyweight] fight, I just expressed that I wanted to do a heavyweight fight. And they really took care of me. The way they gave me this last contract was so good, that I left it open for them to do whatever they wanted. It didn’t matter,” Pereira said

The centerpiece of Pereira’s new contract is the renewed possibility of a “fight” against Jon Jones. While Jones remains in a contract dispute with the UFC and has formally requested his release as of March 9, Pereira believes “Bones” will eventually return for the right opponent. Jones briefly retired in 2025 but attempted to return for the White House card. Negotiations reportedly fell through after Jones claimed he was “lowballed” by the promotion. If Pereira defeats Gane in June, he will no doubt target the full title against Aspinall or the Jones fight.

“Not disappointed, but I expressed that it was a fight that I wanted. It’s a fight that [Jon] wants. I don’t want to get too involved because that’s between him and the organization. I believe it will happen when I win this fight. There’s a big chance that it happens. The UFC isn’t going to release him anytime soon – so if he’s going to fight, who else is it going to be? It’s going to be against me. “I’m focused on [Ciryl Gane] right now, and Jon Jones is [next],” Pereira stated

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

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