‘Poatan sleeps Aspinall’… Fans debate Alex Pereira’s potential heavyweight move following stunning weight update

Alex Pereira sparks fan debate after stepping on the scales at over 240 pounds

Before Alex Pereira lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev, there was a lot of conversation surrounding a potential move to heavyweight.

While it’s understandable that ‘Poatan’ would want the opportunity to avenge his UFC 313 loss before leaving the division, some even suggested that he should make the switch now instead of facing Ankalaev for a second time.

Pereira may have debuted in the UFC and become champion at middleweight, but that doesn’t mean that attempting to achieve success in a third division is out of the question.

In fact, a recent video posted by the former champion on Instagram had fans questioning whether he already has one eye on competing as a heavyweight.

Pereira stepped on the scales and hit around the 110.3 kg mark, which is roughly 243 pounds, causing fans to debate his future at heavyweight.

‘Ngl Poatan sleeps [Tom] Aspinall.’

‘Bro is getting Tom.’

‘Heavyweight is next for Alex, he’s not beating Ankalaev. There’s no point in a rematch.’

‘Nope, he’s still way too small for heavyweight. Even Curtis Blaydes would manhandle my goat unfortunately.’

Many also pointed out that while this may seem like a stunning weight gain, it might not be out of the ordinary for Pereira, even if he did previously compete at 185 pounds.

‘He posts a weigh in at this weight every fight camp.’

‘That’s pretty standard for a LHW [light heavyweight]. Do none of you guys know how much these guys weigh outside of camp??’

Alex Pereira currently weighs more than Jon Jones did in his final UFC fight

While many fans pointed out that this weight isn’t necessarily anything new for Alex Pereira, it does raise some interesting questions about his potential move to heavyweight.

Some of the reactions pointed out that ‘Poatan’ doesn’t appear to have purposefully been putting on muscle which would then point to the idea that he’s moving up now rather than later.

However, even before setting his sights on heavyweight, Pereira currently weighs more than Jon Jones did when he weighed in for his final UFC fight.

‘Bones’ defended the heavyweight title at UFC 309 after stepping on the scales at 237.6 pounds and even Stipe Miocic wasn’t far off ‘Poatan’ at 248.6 pounds.