Top 5 UFC heavyweight star pushes back on Alex Pereira plan that would ‘screw up the division’

Alex Pereira is targeting his second UFC weight switch in 2026.

‘Poatan’ has made his plans for the new year clear ever since returning to the UFC light heavyweight throne this past October.

After Pereira knocked out Magomed Ankalaev to begin his second stint as champion at 205 pounds, the Brazilian fan favorite outlined his hope to be granted a heavyweight move in 2026.

Instead of a potential opportunity to make history by collecting a third divisional title in the UFC, Pereira called out Jon Jones for a super-fight at the White House.

But regardless of whether it’s Jones or champion Tom Aspinall, another UFC heavyweight does not support Pereira’s potential arrival in the division.

Curtis Blaydes does not like the sound of Alex Pereira moving up to heavyweight

It’s not yet clear whether the UFC will back Alex Pereira’s plan for the new year, but it is safe to say that this heavyweight contender won’t be.

The No. 4-ranked Curtis Blaydes addressed the possibility of sharing the same divisional roster as Pereira during a recent interview with Home of Fight.

‘Razor’ pushed back on Pereira’s goal, with the former interim title challenger insisting that only bad things would come as a result of the Brazilian’s arrival.

“That kind of sucks,” Blaydes said of Pereira’s planned move up.

“That would screw up the division. I would rather that didn’t happen, if I am being honest.

“I think you only get to move up if you’ve swept your division. Like when Izzy (Israel Adesanya) did it…he had already smoked everybody in the (middleweight) division, so it made sense.

“I think there’s a rush or a pressure to get Pereira in at heavyweight because he’s getting older,” he continued. “He’s had wars. How long has he been active in combat sports, 20 years? That is a long time.

“They probably want to get the value out of him before his body starts breaking down.”