Alex Pereira lost the middleweight crown today after suffering a knockout defeat against Israel Adesanya. At the post-fight press conference, Dana White hinted at a potential new division for Poatan, however, Pereira has not yet stated whether he wants to face Izzy in a trilogy bout or wants to fight someone else next.
Tonight at the Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida, the much-anticipated middleweight title fight between the Brazilian MMA fighter and the New Zealander took place. Sadly, Poatan’s rule only lasted four months since Adesanya knocked him out in the second round’s fourth minute.
Israel Adesanya knocks out Alex Pereira (2023)
đ¸ @jeffbottari pic.twitter.com/5wgYxlOYTa
— Fight Pics That Go Hard (@fightpicsgohard) April 9, 2023
What did Dana White say about Alex Pereira?
Many MMA fans are now interested to know what will happen to Alex Pereira after his first UFC defeat. The UFC president spoke about the Brazilian fighter during the post-fight press conference.
âHonestly, I think that Pereira probably moves to 205 after this fight,â Dana said.
đ¨| Dana White says he thinks that Alex Pereira may go up to 205 next.#UFC287 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/Yj7dXS67Gq
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) April 9, 2023
In the UFC, Poatan has not been around for very long. The Brazilian only made his UFC debut in 2021, defeating Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268. Pereira’s incredible run in 2022 continued when he knocked out Sean Strickland, beat Bruno Silva, and ultimately stole the title away from the defending champion Israel Adesanya.
The former kickboxer initially refused to participate in a rematch, but Izzy pushed. Given his fantastic unblemished record against The Last Stylebender, it appears that The Brazilian was perhaps a touch overconfident.
BREAKING: Alex Pereira CAN in fact smile đ¨ #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/r2VZTozuEI
— UFC (@ufc) April 6, 2023
Dana White believes it would be preferable for Alex to move up to the light heavyweight division next given Pereira’s build, physical prowess, weight, and body structure as he said, âIâm not saying heâs moving to 205, but Iâm assuming he is. You guys can ask him himself, but it wouldnât surprise me.â
The light heavyweight division is filled with formidable opponents for Pereira, like Jiri ProchĂĄzka and Jamahal Hill. Poatan weighed 204 pounds a week prior to the UFC 287 weigh-in. So, for the 35-year-old fighter, switching divisions at this time wouldn’t be a big concern.
What do you thinkâshould Alex Pereira move up to light heavyweight or should he fight Israel Adesanya for a trilogy bout? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
