Joe Rogan Hints Alex Pereira’s Next Fight Could Be a Heavyweight Surprise

According to Joe Rogan Experience host Joe Rogan, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira may be headed in a direction few fans anticipated. Pereira currently has no shortage of contenders at 205 pounds. Rising force Carlos Ulberg and former champion Jiri Prochazka are both waiting for their opportunity to challenge for the title. But Pereira’s own ambitions appear to extend beyond his division.

Heavyweight Talk Gains Steam

Pereira had publicly expressed interest in moving up to heavyweight for a blockbuster showdown with Jon Jones at the proposed UFC White House event on June 14. However, a recent social media post from Pereira indicated that the White House card is no longer in play for him leaving fans speculating about what comes next.

Rogan says he’s heard some unexpected chatter. “There’s a lot of chatter about him fighting in the heavyweight division now,” Rogan said. “There’s a lot of chatter about him perhaps even fighting Ciryl Gane. I don’t know how much is true. I haven’t talked to Dana White about it. But it’s not an illogical move.”

Rogan emphasized Pereira’s physical readiness for such a leap. “He’s 240 pounds right now 240 plus. Make no mistake about it, that guy can knock out heavyweights. No doubt about it. He hits harder than anyone they’ve ever recorded.”

Where Gane Fits In

Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) is coming off a no contest against Tom Aspinall in their heavyweight title bout at UFC 321 last October. That fight ended abruptly in Round 1 after an accidental eye poke left Aspinall unable to continue.

The UFC’s plan has reportedly been to book an immediate rematch, but Aspinall has yet to receive medical clearance potentially opening the door for an interim or high-profile alternative if delays continue.

A Fork in the Road

For Pereira, the situation presents a fascinating crossroads: defend his 205-pound crown against deserving contenders, or chase legacy by testing his devastating power against elite heavyweights.

If Rogan’s chatter proves accurate, Pereira vs. Gane would represent one of the most intriguing style clashes the UFC could make an elite kickboxer with heavyweight movement and range against a former GLORY double champion whose left hook has already rewritten multiple divisions.

Whether it’s a title defense or a bold heavyweight detour, one thing seems certain: Alex Pereira’s next move won’t be boring and it may come sooner than expected.