“He’s Behaving Like This Because Dana White…”: After Confirming Light Heavyweight Move, Alex Pereira Warns Israel Adesanya to Not “Provocate” Him

Former UFC middleweight champ Alex Pereira confirmed that his next fight would take place in the light heavyweight division earlier in a video on his YouTube channel. This news came as a confirmation of earlier rumors and even the statement from UFC President Dana White regarding the Brazilian. While it didn’t surprise many, it was Pereira’s words toward the end of the video that created a buzz as the Brazilian sent out a message for his nemesis, Israel Adesanya.

‘Poatan’, while talking about his move to light heavyweight, stated in the video that it was completely up to him to make the decision regarding the change in the weight class. He further added that if he wishes to, he could step back into the middleweight division, depending on Adesanya’s “behavior“.

Alex Pereira talks about a possible Israel Adesanya fight

Dismissing the notion that it was his difficulty cutting down to 185 pounds that led him to make a move to light heavyweight, Pereira claimed that he could always make weight and fight at middleweight whenever he wanted to.

“I’m not going up because I can’t make weight anymore. I will always be able to make 185,” he stated.

But it was his next statement that provided fans with something to talk about while also opening up the possibility of a highly demanded rematch with Israel Adesanya.

“Let’s see the behaviour of him. He’s behaving like this because Dana White spoke after my fight about my weight; and seems like he’s thinking like: ‘Oh this guy will never make weight again – I can provocate him, because he won’t do anything’.” Pereira said, addressing Adesanya’s trolling after his win. 

Also, the Brazilian was pointing out Dana White’s statement during the press conference about the change in weight class.

Will Pereira fight at Middleweight or Light Heavyweight next?

Despite the Brazilian talking about keeping an eye on Adesanya’s behavior, it’s most likely that a move-up is in store for him. In the same video, ‘Poatan’ confirmed that the “big news” he wanted to reveal was that his next fight would be in light heavyweight.

His back-and-forth earlier with 205 lbs champ Jamahal Hill also serves as a great storyline for him to jump into the contender spot or even title shot in the division. Interestingly, it was Pereira’s friend and training partner, Glover Teixeira, who Hill beat to take home the title.

Read More: Alex Pereira Responds to Israel Adesanya Mocking His 12-Year-Old Son: “I Saw That He Was Being Influenced by Other People”

As fans, all we can do is wait and watch how the scenario plays out in these two divisions. Despite confirming his move, the fact that Pereira kept the option of a fight against Adesanya open means that we could still one day see this rivalry come back to life once again.

Watch This Story: Alex Pereira Left In Tears After Israel Adesanya Knocks Him Out At UFC 287