Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira has confirmed his switch to the light heavyweight divison after he lost his title to Nigeria-born Israel Adesanya last Saturday.
Pereira was knocked out by Adesanya in the UFC 287 main event in Miami over the weekend, which ended his over four-month stay as the division’s champion.
The former kickboxing star, on Thursday, disclosed that he is moving on for a tougher challenge which will see him compete in the 92.9kg [205lbs].
Pereira said on his YouTube page: “Hi, folks, like I promised, I’ll announce you big news on my channel. My next fight will be in 205[lbs] [division]. Yeah, you heard right – my next fight will be in 205[lbs].
“I think I did my work in 83.9kg [185 lbs] and now I’m feeling good to go up to 205. Like I told you, when I’m feeling good, I will go up – this will be something natural. And now I think it is.”
The move quashes reports of a trilogy fight between the Brazilian and Adesanya.
Pereira believes his move to the new weight division would help ease the provocation he is getting from Adesanya’s celebration since Saturday.
“All of you saw the provocation from (Israel) Adesanya after the fight – he acts as if he has won against me three times,” he said.
“But it’s not like this. But I understand – or try to understand, the happiness he has. It was his dream to win one time against me. And now he did. But let’s see what will be his behavior.
“I’m going to light heavyweight because it’s a good option for me. But I’m sure if I stay in this division (middleweight), I can fight against him directly. Let’s see, how he behaves.”
