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Alex Pereira, a towering figure at 6’4, is undoubtedly one of the most physically imposing fighters to grace the Octagon. Moreover, Pereira boasts the unique distinction of being the first-ever multiple-weight class champion in Glory Kickboxing. What sets Pereira apart is his exceptional ability to transition between weight classes without sacrificing power, a feat rarely seen in combat sports. Now, he’s determined to replicate this success in the UFC.

Pereira’s ascent to the light-heavyweight division began after he got knocked out by Israel Adesanya in their title rematch. Reports suggest that weight-cutting can affect a fighter’s ability to absorb punches, which may have influenced Pereira’s decision. During a recent interview on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Pereira disclosed his weight on fight night for both divisions. And the numbers have left fans shaking their head in disbelief!

Fans react to shocking weight reveal by Alex Pereira

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Following his loss of the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya, Pereira embarked on a journey to move up to the light-heavyweight division. His debut in this weight class took place at UFC 291 against Jan Blachowicz. En route to securing a victory via decision, Pereira appeared considerably larger in the cage. This contrasted sharply with Adesanya’s challenge for the light-heavyweight title, during which he appeared significantly smaller than Blachowicz.

During a recent appearance on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, ‘Poatan’ was asked about his weight at fight night in his light-heavyweight debut. He responded by stating that, “I weighed around 103 kgs, approximately 224-225 lbs”.  When asked about his weight at middleweight, he stated, “When I fought at 185 lbs, I entered the cage at about 210 lbs. After hydration, food, and everything, it would be around 216 lbs. Regardless of the weight class, during training camp, it usually hovers between 210-215 lbs.”

 

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Pereira’s revelation about his fight-night weight came as a shock, considering how colossal he appeared in the cage against Jan Blachowicz. Fans shared their astonishment and wonder at the jaw-dropping numbers he revealed.

Many fans were astounded at how big he is and claimed to now understand the secret behind his devastating KO power.

“He’s genuinely a big heavyweight.”

“Now we know why he’s knocking out middleweights!”

Others were stunned at the sheer weight he was putting on after the weigh-ins.

“Adding 10kg in a day is mind-boggling.”

Whereas others were confident that there were bigger fighters in the light-heavyweight division.

“Comparatively small for the light heavyweight division; Rakic and Hill are clearly bigger.”

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But the overall sentiment was awe at the sheer size of Pereira.

“That dude is a giant, no doubt!”

“It’s hard to believe he’s 103 kg; he must have incredible bone density!”

Some fans called for a weight limit after the weigh-ins had concluded.

“There should be a fight-night weight limit, perhaps 5 pounds at most; this isn’t fair.”

And even poor Daniel Cormier was the target of some humorous jabs!

“Sounds about right. I can only imagine how much DC would’ve weighed on fight day!”

The reaction from fans emphasizes the sheer size of Alex Pereira and raises questions about fairness in MMA regarding fighters’ weight on fight night. Pereira’s remarkable physical presence has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the MMA community.

Pereira’s next challenge awaits former light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka. Dana White recently confirmed this matchup, which will serve as the co-main event at UFC 295 on November 11th. The main card of this event features the highly anticipated showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.

The future for ‘Poatan’

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This clash between Pereira and Prochazka occurs during a time of transition in the light-heavyweight division. After years of Jon Jones’ dominance, his move up to a higher weight class has left the division searching for a new champion. It’s noteworthy that since Jones’ departure, there has been just one title defense, which occurred in 2021 when Jan Blachowicz thwarted Israel Adesanya’s bid for double-championship glory.

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Prochazka relinquished the title due to a severe shoulder injury. An issue that Dana White referred to as “the worst shoulder injury in UFC history.” Pereira, on the other hand, is eager to make a statement in this fight, especially after his last decision victory over Blachowicz was met with controversy within the MMA community.

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As Alex Pereira continues to defy the boundaries of weight classes and establish himself as a force to be reckoned with, fans can anticipate an electrifying battle against Jiri Prochazka that promises to captivate the MMA world. Do you think Pereira will be able to capture his 2nd title in the UFC? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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