UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is a monster of a man, and has to put his body through a rigorous workload to make weight for his world title fights.
At one point he was cutting over 40lb in order to make the 185lb middleweight limit as he pursued Israel Adesanya in his early UFC career. But he is now at the more size-appropriate light-heavyweight, where he can tip the scales at 205lb.
But he is still making a considerable cut in order to come in on weight for his fights at 205lb, including tonight against Jiri Prochazka. The pair are fighting for the second time in the main event of UFC 303 after stepping in at late notice to save the event.
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Standing at 6’4, Alex Pereira is a giant even for the light-heavyweight division. The Brazilian carries a heavyweight frame with him, and is expected at some point to move up to challenge for an unprecedented third world title.
But for now he must defend his 205lb title, first defeating Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 before rematching Prochazka tonight. And in order to do that, he has to make a gruelling cut to make the weight, usually walking around well over 230lb.
The Brazilian today shared a video of himself on the scales, in which he could be seen weighing 104.4kg, or just over 230lb. It’s a drastic difference from yesterday morning, when he made championship weight with half a pound to spare at 204.5lb.
In the video, he noted in Portugese that it was the best weight cut of his career to date. And the difference in his physique from yesterday to today doesn’t appear as drastic as the numbers would suggest.
“Well, I recovered the weight very well,” Pereira said in an Instagram story [translated by Bloody Elbow]. “This is the fourth fight in this category, it was the best loss of weight, the best recovery, I’m feeling very well.” He then stepped on the scale and added: “So let’s see here.. 104 kilos. Crazy. Let’s do it.”
Alex Pereira eyeing move to heavyweight for unheard of trio of belts
‘Poatan’ has had an unbelievable run to the top of MMA, already winning and losing the middleweight title and becoming champion in another division within eight UFC fights, and 12 altogether. And after headlining two of the biggest shows in promotional history, he could be set for even more history.
It appears that both heavyweight champions; undisputed Jon Jones and interim Tom Aspinall, have a keen interest in welcoming Pereira to the division. And after a number of tough weight cuts, the Brazilian seems to fancy an eventual move up in weight.
During the camp for this fight, he sparred with the likes of heavyweight boxer Demsey McKean among other big men. The Australian was once considered as an opponent for Tyson Fury when he was WBC champion, and Pereira gave a good account of himself in footage shared to YouTube.
Jones, for his part, has claimed that a fight between he and Pereira is the biggest the UFC could make. “If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT?” He asked fans last month.
“Being back in the gym has got me thinking differently. That fight after Stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make. This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world.
“The most massive fight the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated. It would be absolutely massive. A guy with a chance to be three division champion and a goat versus the actual goat. Same age, different strengths.
“No one can argue that that would be the biggest fight in MMA history. There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that. Marketing would be insane.”
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