Alex Pereira might decide against facing Khamzat Chimaev, a possibility that his team finds understandable. While Chimaev has yet to defend his UFC Middleweight Championship, he has been vocal about wanting a fight against Pereira. Meanwhile, Pereira holds the UFC Light Heavyweight title and has been involved in social media exchanges with Chimaev. Despite this, UFC President Dana White prefers that the 185-pound title sees a proper defense before any matchup between these two fighters occurs.
Coach’s Insight on Pereira’s Priorities
Alan Nascimento, who coaches Chimaev, shared his perspective with MMAFighting.com, suggesting that Pereira is unlikely to accept a fight with Chimaev if his goal is to pursue the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Nascimento explained that risks come with fighting anyone, but Pereira’s focus appears to be on making history by capturing a third title in a different weight class.
Risks have always existed for him, even before he was in the UFC,
Nascimento said.
For him, that doesn’t make a difference. Anyone he fights carries a risk. But for his legacy, to build a story never seen before. I would move up, fight the champion, become champion, win the third belt, and from then on, have someone build a statue of me. Every time you pass by, you ask for a blessing [laughs].
— Alan Nascimento, Coach
Considerations Behind Avoiding Chimaev
Nascimento expressed that if he were in Pereira’s position or advising him, pursuing a fight with Chimaev would not be the best choice. Instead, the opportunity to achieve a historic third championship belt would outweigh the risk of facing Chimaev, who fights in the middleweight division.
If we think from ‘Poatan’s’ side, if I were ‘Poatan’ or his coach or anyone close to him, it wouldn’t make sense to fight Chimaev,
he said.
I’m not talking about risk. I’m simply saying that today ‘Poatan’ has the opportunity to achieve something no one has ever done, to fight for a third belt. … But for his legacy, for the history he can build, and simply because it would be something never done or seen before, I wouldn’t accept a fight with Chimaev and would obviously move up to heavyweight to fight the champion and win the third belt.
— Alan Nascimento, Coach
Uncertain Future for Pereira’s Next Fight
Alex Pereira has not made a definitive decision about his next bout. Dana White has acknowledged that although the light heavyweight title scene remains active with important battles to resolve, he is willing to accommodate Pereira’s choice considering his standing and commitment to the UFC.
Significance of Pereira’s Potential Path
Choosing to bypass a fight with Khamzat Chimaev and instead challenge for the heavyweight crown would allow Alex Pereira to create an unprecedented legacy by winning titles in three separate weight divisions. This decision carries considerable weight for the sport’s history and the evolution of Pereira’s career, leaving fans and analysts eager to see which path he will ultimately take.
