Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is more interested in pursuing opportunities elsewhere than stepping back to claim his old belt.
Pereira (12-2) will face Khalil Rountree (13-6, 1 NC) in the main event of UFC 307 for the 205-pound title. “Poitan” successfully defended his title for the third time in four rounds. Technical knockout to Rountree. Speaking about his options going forward, the Brazilian blamed training partner Sean Strickland for moving back down to 185 pounds.
Pereira initially made his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut at middleweight, then defeated former Glory Kickboxing opponent Israel Adesanya to win the belt, but lost the belt in a rematch. Ahead of UFC 307, the Brazilian has expressed interest in moving down to middleweight to take on reigning champion Drikas du Plessis, who defended his title via submission from Adesanya at UFC 305. Pereira previously said he intended to move down to middleweight regardless of the outcome of the fight. After clashing with “War Horse” at UFC 307, he may have changed his mind.
Meanwhile, Pereira’s former enemy turned friend Strickland is looking forward to his next title challenge against middleweight ‘Stillknox’. While helping Pereira with his UFC 307 camp, Strickland urged his friend not to move down a weight class and put any obstacles in his way to the middleweight title. Asked about his future plans, Pereira said he is no longer thinking about dropping to 185 pounds because Strickland is his training partner. Pereira isn’t completely against a move to heavyweight, but he’s very comfortable at 205 pounds for the time being. The champion said in his post-fight Octagon interview at UFC 307:
“We saw Dorikas. [du Plessis] He will be fighting Sean Strickland. He is my training partner. I don’t want to disturb him. I can go up to heavyweight. However, this division is wonderful. I feel great with this weight loss and this is where I am now. ”
Strickland lost the strap to Du Plessis in a close split decision at UFC 297. He has since defeated Paulo Costa by decision and is determined to fight for the title next. Meanwhile, du Plessis’ camp claims the champion has been told he will defend his title against the winner of the UFC 308 fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker, scheduled for October 26th.
