Alex Pereira is giving up his UFC light-heavyweight belt to chase a third championship and solidify his place in MMA history. The Brazilian star needed only four fights and one year in the UFC to claim the middleweight title in 2022, defeating Israel Adesanya. After losing that belt, he moved up to light-heavyweight, captured a second championship, and defended it three times in seven months. Now, he seems ready to step into the heavyweight division. UFC President Dana White confirmed on Instagram Live that Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg will headline UFC 327 for the newly-vacated title.
Dana White confirms Pereira’s departure from light-heavyweight
Dana White announced that Alex Pereira will relinquish his 205-pound belt but did not explicitly say the champion intends to move to heavyweight. White also revealed additional UFC 327 bouts and hinted at a White House event announcement next week. In Pereira’s absence, former light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka will attempt to reclaim gold against top contender Carlos Ulberg in the main event.
UFC 327 set for Miami with stacked card
The UFC 327 show will take place on April 11 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Joshua Van will make his first flyweight title defense against rising star Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event. The card also features light-heavyweight bouts with Dominick Reyes and Johnny Walker. White confirmed the main event around 11 p.m. Eastern via Instagram Live, without mentioning Pereira directly. He also confirmed a Bellator legends fight between Patricio Pitbull and Aaron Pico, along with Mateusz Gamrot facing Esteban Ribovics and Beneil Dariush battling Manuel Torres.
Pereira’s rise through the divisions
Alex Pereira recently weighed in at 243 pounds, a huge jump from his octagon debut at 185 pounds against Israel Adesanya. Jon Jones had called him out when planning a UFC White House return, but that matchup now appears unlikely. Pereira’s move leaves the light-heavyweight division wide open and sets the stage for Prochazka and Ulberg to fight for the championship.
