SALT LAKE CITY – Alex Pereira wants his next fight to be for the UFC’s vacant light heavyweight title.
The former UFC middleweight champion is hoping to be one of the two fighters the UFC will need to book against each other to determine a titleholder in the division, given that Jamahal Hill recently vacated the belt after suffering an injury.
Pereira (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) doesn’t care who it’s against, and he feels confident regardless of who they match him up with, as he believes he already took out his toughest test in Jan Blachowicz. Pereira defeated Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) in a split decision in the co-feature of UFC 291 at Delta Center.
“I don’t know,” Pereira told reporters through an interpreter at the post-fight news conference when asked who’s next for the vacant title fight. “I do think that Jan was the toughest in the division. He’s a former champion and a very dangerous guy, as everyone can see. So whoever they put, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m here to do my work and that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to train to give a show and come out with the win.”
Although Pereira has an extensive background in kickboxing, the win over Blachowicz was just his 10th professional fight. Within this 10-fight stretch, Pereira won the UFC middleweight title and looks to have won an opportunity to fight for the belt at 205 pounds.
Pereira’s success in MMA has been quite rapid.
“I have the right people, the right team, manager, friends, and I think that makes a big difference,” Pereira said. “Also, it’s my dedication that I’ve had all throughout since kickboxing. I take my work seriously and I just need opportunities. You give me opportunities, I’ll do my work.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 291.
