Alex Pereira, the former two-division UFC champion, has laid out ambitious plans for the remainder of the year. Should he successfully secure the interim heavyweight championship on June 14, Pereira intends to compete at least twice more in 2026. His immediate focus is on his upcoming bout against Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250, a victory that would make him the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in three different weight classes.
Pereira is known for his active fighting schedule, having competed three times annually from 2022 to 2024. Last year, he fought twice before relinquishing his light heavyweight title to pursue opportunities in the heavyweight division.
Following a potential win against Gane, Pereira is slated to face the undisputed heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, in a title unification bout later this year. However, Aspinall is currently recovering from double eye surgery and has not yet provided a return date. Unwilling to wait, especially with Aspinall not actively training, Pereira is eager to maintain his momentum.
Pereira Discusses UFC Future and Sends a Stark Warning to All Heavyweights
During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, the 38-year-old Brazilian emphasized his desire to avoid any delays. He plans to return to the octagon as soon as possible after his fight on June 14, provided he remains healthy. Pereira also directed a clear message to Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, and the entire heavyweight roster, urging them to be prepared.
“I want to fight as soon as possible after this fight. Jon Jones, I don’t know if he’s training. Aspinall, maybe he’s not going to be ready. Those guys should be training right now because, as soon as this fight is finished, I want to fight as soon as possible… I don’t think any of them will be ready. Right now, we know there’s no longer the whole process of building a fight because there are no more PPVs involved.”
“To all the heavyweights, I’m being nice. I’m just letting you guys know: be prepared. Start training because, as soon as this fight is finished, if I win and I’m healthy, I’m going to push the UFC to give me another fight right away.”
Alex Pereira’s comments can be viewed below:
Alex Pereira says he’d rather have a very quick turnaround at heavyweight rather than wait for a particular matchup:
‘I want to fight as soon as possible after this fight. Jon Jones, I don’t know if he’s training. Aspinall, maybe he’s not going to be ready. Those guys should be… pic.twitter.com/HKNtEJt48b
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 9, 2026
Alex Pereira’s Bold Declaration: A Message to Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall
Alex Pereira, the former two-division UFC champion, has issued a forceful statement to the heavyweight division’s elite, including Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, regarding his future plans. Following his scheduled interim heavyweight title clash against Ciryl Gane on June 14, Pereira aims to solidify his dominance by competing frequently.
Pereira’s Ambitious Plans and a Call to the Heavyweights
If Pereira successfully claims the interim heavyweight belt, he intends to fight at least two more times before the end of 2026. This aggressive schedule reflects his history of consistent activity, having fought three times a year from 2022 to 2024. After vacating his light heavyweight title, he is now fully focused on making a significant impact in the heavyweight division.
While a title unification bout against undisputed champion Tom Aspinall is the logical next step, Aspinall’s recovery from double eye surgery presents an uncertainty. Pereira, unwilling to wait, has clearly communicated his intentions to the UFC and his potential future opponents. In a recent interview, he stated his eagerness to fight as soon as possible after the Gane fight, urging Jones and Aspinall to prepare themselves.
A Direct Message to the Heavyweight Contenders
“I want to fight as soon as possible after this fight,” Pereira declared. “Jon Jones, I don’t know if he’s training. Aspinall, maybe he’s not going to be ready. Those guys should be training right now because, as soon as this fight is finished, I want to fight as soon as possible… I don’t think any of them will be ready.” He further emphasized, “To all the heavyweights, I’m being nice. I’m just letting you guys know: be prepared. Start training because, as soon as this fight is finished, if I win and I’m healthy, I’m going to push the UFC to give me another fight right away.”
Pereira’s message is a clear indication that he intends to be a dominant force in the heavyweight division, challenging anyone and everyone to step up and face him.
Watch Alex Pereira’s comments regarding his heavyweight aspirations:
Alex Pereira says he’d rather have a very quick turnaround at heavyweight rather than wait for a particular matchup:
‘I want to fight as soon as possible after this fight. Jon Jones, I don’t know if he’s training. Aspinall, maybe he’s not going to be ready. Those guys should be… pic.twitter.com/HKNtEJt48b
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 9, 2026
