Last Man to Beat Alex Pereira Warns His Weight Gain Could Backfire Against Ciryl Gane

Pereira, who vacated his Light Heavyweight title recently, is attempting to make history by moving up to heavyweight. Reports suggest he is now hovering around 250 pounds, a significant jump from his previous fighting weight.

Alex Pereira’s Weight Shift Could Clash with a True Heavyweight’s Style

The concern becomes more relevant when considering the opponent. Gane is not just any heavyweight—he’s a natural one. Standing at 6-foot-5 and typically competing around 248 pounds, the Frenchman has built his reputation on movement, footwork, and technical striking rather than brute force.

Pereira, despite being one of the most feared knockout artists in combat sports, may find himself facing someone just as big. Vakhitov’s insight carries weight because of his history with Pereira.

The two fought twice under the Glory banner, splitting wins, with Vakhitov taking the final bout in 2021 to capture the light heavyweight title.

Only what happens inside the cage will determine whether the added size becomes a weapon or a liability. But if Vakhitov is right, Pereira’s move to heavyweight could compromise his biggest strength.