Boxing Dream Ends for ‘Poatan’
Alex Pereira has officially stopped chasing a move to professional boxing. The UFC champion told his coach that such a fight is now “kind of impossible” because of his current contract. He has seven fights remaining with the promotion at age 39. This long-term deal locks him in while he moves up to the heavyweight division. His coach, Plinio Cruz, shared this news on fight week. Pereira is happy to stay and fight, but the path to the boxing ring is closed for now.
The decision comes after Pereira signed a new deal earlier this year. He was willing to give up his light heavyweight title to take the money and stay with the UFC. Now, the rules of that agreement prevent him from testing his skills in a different sport. He wanted to try boxing before, but the timeline no longer works. The contract binds him to MMA for years to come.
The Heavyweight Challenge Ahead
Pereira faces a huge test in December against Sergei Pavlovich. This will be his second fight in the heavyweight division. Dana White, the UFC president, says only one thing matters for Pereira’s future in this weight class. White told reporters that “A win will help” cement his spot at 265 pounds. A loss would raise serious questions about whether he belongs there.
Many fans worry about Pereira’s size against these new opponents. He lost his interim title to Ciryl Gane at the White House earlier this year. That loss opened the door for doubts about his frame. Now he must face Pavlovich, a man known for his power and size. Joe Rogan called the matchup a “tough task” for the Brazilian striker. Rogan pointed out that Pavlovich has big power and strong boxing skills.
The fight is set for UFC 335. Pereira has a lot to prove if he wants a title shot. He moved up to heavyweight to find bigger challenges. But the size gap is real. He needs to show he can handle the heavy hitters without getting knocked out. The clock is ticking on his career, and every fight counts more now.
Expert Concerns on Size and Power
Legendary coach Ray Longo believes Pereira is too small for the elite heavyweights. Longo spoke on the Anik & Florian podcast about the risks Pereira faces. He loves Pereira as a fighter but sees a major problem with the size difference. “These guys, I think, might be too big,” Longo said, according to BJPenn.com. He noted that Pereira gets hit in sparring and likes to come back, which is dangerous against larger men.
Longo compared Pereira’s style to Bobby Green, a lightweight known for keeping his hands down. He said Pereira has power, but the bigger guys will land harder shots. Longo questioned if Pereira can take the power coming back at him. He pointed out the jump from 185 pounds to 250 pounds is huge. At the lower weight, the difference is smaller. At heavyweight, the power gap is massive.
The coach warned that Pereira cannot afford to get hit by these men. His style relies on trading blows, which works at lighter weights. But against heavyweights, one clean shot could end the fight. Longo said it is a tough fight and that the style might not work. He is waiting to see how Pereira does with Sergei, but the odds look steep. The size difference is the main concern for experts watching the sport.
This situation shows the hard choices fighters face when signing long deals. Pereira wanted to box, but the business side of the UFC won. He signed a contract that keeps him in MMA for seven more fights. That choice means he cannot chase his dream of a boxing match anytime soon. It is a practical reality for top athletes today.
Fans will watch to see if Pereira can win in December. If he beats Pavlovich, he stays on track for a title. If he loses, the questions about his size will grow louder. The UFC needs its stars to perform at every weight class. Pereira is a fan favorite, but he must prove he belongs at heavyweight.
The boxing world will miss out on this matchup for now. Pereira said he was “definitely going to box” just last year. He liked the idea of challenging himself in a new ruleset. But the new contract changed his plans. He is happy to be with his coach and fight, but the boxing move is off the table. This is how the business works in modern sports.
