TLDR
- Alex Pereira signed a new eight-fight contract with the UFC, changing his plans to retire soon
- He vacated the light heavyweight title to move permanently to the heavyweight division
- Pereira will face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14
- The event will take place on the White House South Lawn in a historic UFC card
- Pereira remains determined to fight Jon Jones next, despite Jones’ contract dispute with the UFC
Sources: BJPenn.com | CBS Sports | MMA Junkie | Sherdog
Former UFC two-division champion Alex Pereira has signed a new eight-fight contract with the promotion that extends his fighting future and keeps alive hopes of a super fight with Jon Jones. The 38-year-old announced the deal during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
Pereira vacated the UFC light heavyweight title earlier this month to pursue a full-time move to the heavyweight division. He will make his heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.
The historic event will take place on the White House South Lawn. Pereira hasn’t fought since reclaiming the light heavyweight title at UFC 320.
New Contract Changes Retirement Plans
Pereira had previously indicated he had just a few fights left before considering retirement. But the lucrative new deal from UFC brass changed those plans completely.
“Honestly, I just wanted to let go of the [light heavyweight] belt and fight heavyweights, maybe even fight for [another] belt,” Pereira said through an interpreter. “But even if it was a regular [heavyweight] fight, I just expressed that I wanted to do a heavyweight fight.”
Alex Pereira announced he just signed a MASSIVE 8-fight deal with the UFC 😳
“This contract is so good I left it open for them to do whatever they want.”
(via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/hBAO8YmxUG
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) March 16, 2026
The Brazilian fighter said the UFC made the transition smooth. “They asked what I wanted to do, and then I just said I wanted to go to heavyweight,” he explained.
Pereira added that he knew the UFC doesn’t like fighters holding up divisions. He vacated his title without knowing who or when he would fight next.
“They gave me a new contract. I’m really, really happy with my new contract,” Pereira said. “The way they gave me this last contract was so good, that I left it open for them to do whatever they wanted.”
Pereira started his UFC career at middleweight and captured the championship from Israel Adesanya in just his eighth professional MMA fight. After losing the rematch, he moved to light heavyweight where he won the vacant title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka in his second fight in the division.
He successfully defended the light heavyweight title four times before losing a decision to Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira then won the belt back in a rematch, stopping Ankalaev in just 80 seconds.
Despite believing he could still make 205 pounds, Pereira said the heavyweight move is permanent. “This is not something that is new for me,” he said. “I’ve been expressing for a long time that I’ve been wanting to fight at heavyweight, so I think I’ll probably stay around.”
Jones Fight Remains Priority Despite Contract Dispute
The fight between Pereira and Jon Jones has been discussed for months. Jones announced his retirement last summer but later reversed that decision to pursue a spot on the White House card.
Jones is currently at odds with Dana White and UFC brass. He recently called for his release from the promotion.
Pereira remains focused on making the fight happen despite the drama. “Not disappointed, but I expressed that it was a fight that I wanted. It’s a fight that [Jon] wants,” Pereira said.
“I don’t want to get too involved because that’s between him and the organization,” he continued. “I believe it will happen when I win this fight. There’s a big chance that it happens.”
Pereira explained his logic for why the fight will eventually happen. “The UFC isn’t going to release him anytime soon – so if he’s going to fight, who else is it going to be? It’s going to be against me,” he said.
The heavyweight division needs star power after Jones’ retirement and undisputed champion Tom Aspinall’s ongoing hiatus from competition. A victory over Gane would position Pereira as the next major draw in the division.
“I’m focused on [Ciryl Gane] right now, and Jon Jones is [next],” Pereira said.
