Two-time UFC gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will vacate his belt and transfer as much as heavyweight.
In a stunning flip of occasions Friday night time, UFC CEO Dana White introduced that Alex Pereira will vacate the UFC gentle heavyweight title for an opportunity to make historical past.
White shared information of Pereira’s gentle heavyweight title break in a current article Instagram stay stream.
As for what’s subsequent for the UFC gentle heavyweight division, White stated former titleholder Jiri Prochaska and fast-rising contender Carlos Wolberg will battle for the vacant gentle heavyweight title in the principle occasion of UFC 327 in Miami. Prochaska vs. Ulberg will headline the April 11 stacked card, which is able to function the co-main occasion of a flyweight title battle between new champion Joshua Bunn and Tatsuro Taira.
This marks the primary time in a few years that Pereira has not been in competition for a title within the UFC gentle heavyweight division. For Prochaska, this can be a likelihood to make amends after two earlier losses to Pereira, denying her an opportunity at a second title.
As for Wolberg, the proficient Australian might cap off a powerful run into the highest 15 gentle heavyweight division with a championship win. If he wins, he’ll develop into the second New Zealand-born champion in UFC historical past.
Alex Pereira returns the LHW belt. Jiri Prochaska vs. Carlos Ulberg Set
Pereira’s title break is the largest seismic shift within the UFC panorama thus far in 2026, and comes at a time when the UFC heavyweight division is in dire want of star energy. Following the sudden retirement of Jon Jones and an unsure future attributable to Tom Aspinall’s damage, Pereira will likely be combating for the heavyweight title in his divisional debut.
Pereira regained the UFC gentle heavyweight belt by knocking out Magomed Ankalaev in a rematch of final yr’s UFC 320.
Aspinall’s first protection of his UFC heavyweight title in opposition to Cyrille Gane at UFC 321 led to catastrophe as Aspinall was by accident poked within the eye within the first spherical and was unable to proceed, leading to a no contest. The heavyweight champion just lately underwent surgical procedure on each eyes, however admitted his combating future stays cloudy.
Will Alex Pereira win the UFC heavyweight title? Let me know your predictions within the feedback!
