Pereira Vacates Light Heavyweight Belt

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Feb 28, 2026 4:45 AM ET

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira is vacating his light heavyweight belt to move up to heavyweight.

The decision is part of Alex’s desire to become the first fighter in the promotion’s history to capture world titles in three different weight classes. Pereira has secured belts at middleweight and light heavyweight, as he seeks the biggest title of them all, with the heavyweight strap currently held by Tom Aspinall.

Pereira’s final act at 205 lbs was a clinical first-round knockout of Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 last October—a victory that avenged his earlier loss to the Russian. The vacant belt also means that the UFC has announced Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant title on April 11 in Miami at UFC 327. Meanwhile, UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van will put his title on the line against Tatsuro Taira in chief support.

This card is VIOLENT!

The #UFC327 card is LOCKED IN for Miami!

[ LIVE SAT APR 11 on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/gPcAkCyzJ2
— UFC (@ufc) February 28, 2026

The Division

Pereira has a genuine chance of securing a third belt based on the division. After retiring last June and vacating the belt, Jones teased a comeback for the UFC White House card this June. However, Dana White recently dismissed those odds as a “billion to one.” Jones himself has admitted to battling arthritis in his left hip.

Meanwhile, the current Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall remains sidelined following an eye injury. After a double accidental eye poke from Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 resulted in a no-contest, Aspinall was diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome. He recently underwent surgery on both eyes to correct the resulting double vision, but his timeline is unknown.

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

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