UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jamahal Hill has weighed in on Alex Pereira’s planned move to his division.
Jamahal Hill earned the light heavyweight title by defeating Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 back in January. He’s expected to face Jiří Procházka in his first title defense later this year, although a timeframe for the fight is uncertain.
Jamahal Hill has a slew of contenders ready to challenge him for the light heavyweight title, including Procházka and former champion Jan Blachowicz. But, another contender has entered the fray in the form of Pereira, who announced on Thursday he plans on fighting at light heavyweight next.
The news of Pereira’s next venture caught the attention of Hill immediately after it broke.
Jamahal Hill ‘Welcomes’ Alex Pereira Clash
In a recent Instagram post, Hill welcomed Pereira to the division.
“Welcome can’t wait to see you [Alex Pereira],” Hill posted.
In a recent Instagram story, Pereira issued an eerie response.
“I am coming and will kick your door in,” Pereira responded.
Hill and Pereira have a bit of history, stemming from Hill’s win over Teixeira. As UFC President Dana White wrapped the belt around Hill, Pereira was seen giving an ominous stare in Hill’s direction.
Just days after earning the title, Hill seemed to entertain a future clash with Pereira. After Pereira lost to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 last weekend, White felt Pereira would make the move up a weight class.
Before the loss to Adesanya in their UFC rematch, Pereira won four-straight fights in the UFC. He made the full-time move to MMA after multiple world titles in Glory Kickboxing.
As Procházka continues to recover from shoulder surgery, Hill’s next opponent remains a mystery. This could set up Pereira for an immediate title shot and a chance to avenge his mentor inside the Octagon.
Alex Pereira Announces Light Heavyweight Move
During a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Pereira confirmed his next step on the sport’s biggest stage.
As many had predicted, “Poatan” will be making the move to the light heavyweight division. During the announcement, the former champ insisted that the weight class switch has nothing to do with his ability to make the middleweight limit.
“Hi folks. Like I promised, I’ll announce big news on my channel,” Pereira began. “My next fight will be (at) 205 (light heavyweight). Yeah, you heard right… I think I did my work (at middleweight) and now I’m feeling good to go up to 205. Like I told you, when I’m feeling good, I will go up. This will be something natural, and now I think it is.
“My next opponent, I can’t tell you yet, but I will keep you updated here on my channel. But as well, I want to make one thing clear: this division, 185, I always made weight. A lot of people had doubts, but I always fulfilled my obligation. But now is the moment to go up to the next division,” Alex Pereira continued. “This will be better for me… I talked to my team, and they think as well it’s a great option for me. I’m not going up because I can’t make weight anymore.”
With that, Alex Pereira looks set to become the latest to attempt two-division championship glory in the UFC.
And while the skillsets of light heavyweight contenders like Magomed Ankalaev have been marked as sizable hurdles for the former kickboxer, his short middleweight tenure showed that his punching power can never be counted out.