Alex Pereira doesn’t just need to focus on winning his rematch against Magomed Ankalaev; he also faces the challenge of making weight, with a significant cut still ahead of him. The Russian light heavyweight claimed Pereira’s title with a unanimous decision win at UFC 313 in March, and now the two are set to battle for the 205lb gold once again at UFC 320 on October 4. And now, ahead of the fight, a UFC veteran has issued a stern warning to Pereira and the rest of the card, urging them not to create problems for Dana White during Friday’s weigh-ins.

On Saturday, ‘Poatan’ stepped on the scale to show his Instagram followers just how much work he has left to do. The 38-year-old weighed in at 106.2kg (slightly over 234lbs), leaving him with a daunting 29lbs to shed in the next two days. Known for his massive weight cuts before fights, Pereira once again faces the grueling task, with Michael Bisping reminding him to go about it the fair way.

A few days ago, Michael Bisping and Paul Felder, on their ‘Believe You Me’ podcast, discussed the upcoming fights and circled back to Alex Pereira’s massive weight cut. Bisping suggested that stricter measures like hydration tests could help reduce extreme cuts, noting Pereira’s case of dropping from 234lbs. Felder added that while hydration testing sounds good in theory, fighters would find ways to cheat the system.

He explained how some athletes hold their urine during cuts so that the test reflects hydration from earlier, saying this practice only puts extra strain on the kidneys. He then went on to argue that real responsibility lies with proper preparation. “It comes down to guys not being lazy in training camp,” Felder said, emphasizing clean eating, gradual fat loss, and small, manageable water cuts instead of last-minute extremes.

He admitted, however, that UFC is unlikely to adopt hydration testing anytime soon. Bisping, meanwhile, stressed that fighters already know the risks and must take accountability. “It’s free will, right?… But you have to make the weight,” he said. He warned that relying on new rules like hydration clauses could complicate things further, while the real solution is professionalism. He further pointed to recent examples, citing Kelvin Gastelum and Brian Battle, as proof that missing weight can carry serious consequences, including potentially losing a UFC contract. The message was simple: fighters sign the contract, so they must deliver.

Finally, the 46-year-old former UFC champion dropped the polite tone and gave a blunt warning. “Stop being a pu–y, b–ch. I am sorry. I’m trying to pick the right words… but you just don’t be a pu–y b–ch and make weight. It’s as simple as that.” He further added that, “I never f—ing missed weight… Show up and do your job. Be professional… If you don’t make it, if you fail, then you are a failure. As simple as that.”

Though not aimed directly at Alex Pereira, the dangers of weight cutting in MMA, as ‘The Count’ pointed out, are no secret. Over the years, fighters have put themselves in serious conditions in an effort to make weight at the last minute. Common methods include dehydration, fasting, long sauna sessions, specially designed sweat suits, and, in extreme cases, even vomiting or donating blood! Typically, the process begins months before fight night, with athletes reducing calories and ramping up their training.

Now, with Pereira revealing he still needs to cut 29lbs, Bisping’s harsh words may well have been an indirect jab at the Brazilian. The question is, can Alex Pereira make the cut this time, and can he do it fairly?

Alex Pereira drops health update ahead of UFC 320 rematch

“That’s how I have always been,” Alex Pereira told ESPN MMA through his translator. He explained that he has never stopped working, never been unemployed, and always stayed active. But over time, the workload began to take a toll. “My body started feeling it. I started aging. And maybe these seven months between these two fights was the best thing I needed to do,” he admitted.

Reflecting on his UFC 313 fight against Magomed Ankalaev, Pereira revealed he didn’t feel like himself that night. “I definitely felt different in that fight from any other fight,” he said. Joe Rogan had earlier claimed Pereira fought with a broken hand and norovirus, something ‘Poatan’ later confirmed in a conversation with Ariel Helwani. Now, ahead of UFC 320, he insists things are different. “I had a great training camp, stayed in the US, focused and no more trips. Yeah, I can compare to this fight and I feel amazing,” he said.

It’s clear Alex Pereira is taking better care of himself, even admitting he won’t stay as overly active as before. He even told MMA Junkie that with smarter planning, he wouldn’t have fought every few months. Still, he won’t pass up major opportunities as and when they come. But can he maintain this healthier balance moving forward? And will this new approach help him reclaim his title against Ankalaev?