Alex Pereira announces move to light heavyweight following loss to Adesanya

Former UFC middleweight world champion Alex Pereira is moving up to the light heavyweight division following his second-round knockout loss to Israel Adesanya this past weekend in the main event of UFC 287.

The 35-year-old Pereira previously defeated his rival twice in kickboxing and did so go again by technical knockout when they fought in mixed martial arts last November. Adesanya, however, got one back last week when Pereira was put to sleep with an overhand right.

“I did my work at 185 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,” Pereira announced on his YouTube channel.

“But as well I want to make one thing clear—this 185 division I always made weight. A lot of people had doubts but I always fulfilled my obligation. Not it's the moment to go up to the next division. This will be better for me.”

As he lay down the canvas, Adesanya was seen shooting arrows at him before pointing to Pereira’s son to mock how he was dropped. He warned that he can still make 185 pounds to fight Adesanya again.

“All of you saw the provocation from Adesanya after the fight. He acts as if he has won against me three times. But I understand or try to understand the happiness he has. It was his dream to win one time against me and now he did,” Pereira said.

“Let's see what will be his behavior. If I would stay in this division, I can fight against him directly. Let's see how he behaves. I am not going up because I can't make weight anymore. I will always make 185.”

—JM Siasat/JMB, GMA Integrated News