Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira will look a bit different in his heavyweight return compared to his fight at UFC Freedom 250.
Alex Pereira seeks redemption in the UFC 335 co-main event against Sergei Pavlovich. The two heavyweight contenders will fight for a potential title shot against the Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit winner.
Tom Aspinall’s uncertain return timeline puts Pereira and others in the heavyweight title mix. But Pereira’s heavyweight debut didn’t go according to plan, as the former two-division champ lost by TKO to Gane for the interim title.
Pereira looked slow and sluggish against Gane in his highly anticipated heavyweight debut, a far cry from his light heavyweight tenure. Ahead of UFC 335, Pereira will fight at a lower weight to counter Pavlovich’s devastating power.
Alex Pereira eyes 10-pound difference in weight at UFC 335, potential LHW return
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Pereira revealed he plans to enter the Octagon at a lighter weight at UFC 335.
“I’ll be lighter, around 240 [pounds]. I just feel that I’ve gotta be a little lighter,” Pereira said.
“I thought about [returning to light heavyweight], but I’m a very competitive guy. The original plan was to stay at heavyweight and fight all of these guys. When I was training for the Gane fight, we had a guy in camp who fought Pavlovich and lost. Everybody was saying Pavlovich is a machine.
“The plan is to stay at heavyweight, but you never know,” Pereira continued. “I’m not going to be the guy trying to go too much with these heavyweights if I have a different option.”
Before losing to Gane at UFC Freedom 250, Pereira defeated the likes of Magomed Ankalaev, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree Jr. in the light heavyweight division. Pereira will look to get back on track in his second heavyweight appearance.
What is your prediction for Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alex Pereira? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
