Former UFC champion predicts “trouble” for everyone else following Alex Pereira’s rumored switch to heavyweight division

Kamaru Usman recently made some remarks for Alex Pereira’s future opponents in the UFC. Pereira is already a two-division champion in the UFC. ‘Poatan’ became the middleweight and lightweight champion in just 12 UFC bouts. At UFC 300, Alex Pereira successfully defended his belt by knocking out former champion Jamahal Hill. Following an impressive win, Pereira is now expected to move up to the heavyweight division to challenge big names like Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic, Tom Aspinall, and many more.

Kamaru Usman himself is an ex-UFC champion. Despite recently struggling with fitness and is unable to rack up any victories after losing to Leon Edwards, Usman is still one of the best fighters on the roster. The last time Usman stepped into the ring was against Khamzat Chimaev, which he lost via unanimous decision. Recently, Kamaru Usman had to say a few things about Alex Pereira’s potential switch to heavyweight.

“Everybody in that middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight division are in trouble when they fight a guy like Alex Pereira. If you don’t take the path of least resistance and you let him actually fight in the way that he does have the biggest advantage, I think they’re all in trouble,” said Usman.

Kamaru Usman suggested that Pereira poses a significant threat to fighters in multiple weight classes, including middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. He mentioned that opponents would face trouble if they don’t find a strategy that exploit his weaknesses.

Israel Adesanya is the only person to knock out Alex Pereira in the UFC. But Poatan is still one of the most all-rounded fighters in the UFC, with a vicious left hook capable of putting anyone to sleep. Pereira’s move to the heavyweight division is still not confirmed, as Dana White is not very keen on Pereira switching weight classes once again.

Magomed Ankalaev is next in line to challenge Alex Pereira

With Pereira’s win over Jamahal Hill, Magomed, currently ranked second in the light heavyweight division, is looking to challenge Poatan. Magomed did not mince his words in praising Pereira but also issued a stern warning to the champion.

“@AlexPereiraUFC, congratulations! I will stop in the first round by knockout @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 The man doesn’t have a chin,” Magomed said.

Magomed does possess remarkable abilities and is still undefeated in the UFC, so it would not be the best idea to challenge Pereira. However, Jiri Prochazka is also waiting to get his title rematch against Pereira.

With that being said, the most suitable opponent to face Pereira if he moves up to the heavyweight division would be Tom Aspinall. Both fighters have shown interest in fighting each other in the octagon. It would be interesting to see what lies next for the two-division UFC champion.