Pereira Reveals When He'd Return To Light Heavyweight

Alex Pereira says he would drop back to heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight if his heavyweight run ends with a loss to Sergei Pavlovich.

The former 205-pound champion faces Pavlovich at UFC 335 in pursuit of becoming the promotion's first three-division titleholder. According to BJ Penn, Pereira told reporters he wouldn't stick around heavyweight after a defeat. "I would go back to light heavyweight," he said, per MMA Fighting. "I think that would be the ideal thing to do."

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Pereira On Size Disadvantage At Heavyweight

Pereira acknowledged the physical reality of campaigning in the UFC's top weight class. "Everyone knows I'm not a big guy like these heavyweights," he said. "So I'm not going to stay there taking a beating at that disadvantage."

The Brazilian expects Pavlovich to bring pressure when they meet. He suggested the Russian slugger might try to overwhelm him early or shift to wrestling if the standup exchanges don't go his way. Pereira said his camp has prepared for both scenarios.

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A win in April would move Pereira one step closer to UFC history. A loss sends him back to the division he ruled before Jon Jones vacated the belt earlier this year.

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• BJPenn — Alex Pereira reveals what could lead to him returning to light heavyweight division