It is currently not clear when Alex Pereira will make his return to the Octagon.
Although nothing has been confirmed, it seems likely that Pereira will reclaim the light heavyweight title in a rematch with Magomed Ankalaev later this year.
Many expected that Ankalaev would be a major challenge for Pereira when their paths eventually crossed, which turned out to be the case with UFC 313.
After a busy 2024 where he stepped and saved the UFC several times, 'Poatan' took a lot of free time before he jumps in again.
Although Tom Aspinall believes that Pereira is currently on his rematch focused on his Rematch, there is much talk about a potential heavyweight movement for the Brazilian star.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Alex Pereira Sparks Fan Debate after stepping on the scales with more than 240 pounds
Before Alex Pereira lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev, there was a lot of conversation around a potential movement to heavyweight.
Although it is understandable that 'Patan' would like the chance to revenge his loss of UFC 313 before he left the division, some even suggested that he now had to make the switch instead of looking at Ankalaev for a second time.
Pereira may have debuted in the UFC and became champion in the middleweight, but that does not mean that an attempt to achieve success in a third division is excluded.
In fact, a recent video of the former champion on Instagram fans wondered whether he already has one eye on competing as a heavyweight.
Pereira stepped on the scales and hit around 110.3 kg Mark, which is around 243 pounds, making fans debate his future on heavyweight.
'Ngl Patan is sleeping [Tom] Aspinall. '
“Bro gets Tom.”
'Heavyweight is the next one for Alex, he does not beat Ankalaev. It doesn't feel like a rematch. '
No, he is still much too small for heavyweight. Even Curtis Blaydes would unfortunately act my goat. '
Many also pointed out that although this may seem like a stunning weight gain, it might not be unusual for Pereira, even if he previously competed at 185 pounds.
“He places a weigh in this weight every fighting camp.”
'That's pretty standard for an LHW [light heavyweight]. None of you know how many these guys weigh outside the camp? '
Alex Pereira currently weighs more than Jon Jones did in his last UFC fight
Although many fans pointed that this weight is not necessarily something new for Alex Pereira, it does raise a number of interesting questions about his potential relocation to heavyweight.
Some reactions pointed to the fact that 'Patan' did not deliberately apply muscle, which would then indicate the idea that he is now going up instead of later.
But even before he pointed his sights on heavyweight, Pereira currently weighs more than Jones did when he weighed for his last UFC fight.
'Bones' defended the heavyweight title on UFC 309 after stepping on the scales at 237.6 pounds and even Stipe Miocic was not far from 'Patan' on £ 248.6.