“I’m Here and Ready”: Former Champion Responds as Alex Pereira Seeks Fans’ Advice on His First Light Heavyweight Opponent

Despite suffering a setback at the hands of Israel Adesanya at UFC 287, Alex Pereira is still a hot commodity in the UFC. The middleweight power puncher is putting his 185 lbs run on hold to move up to the light heavyweight division. Pereira announced his decision to move up a weight class shortly after his loss to Adesanya.

Ever since his debut, fans and pros have been pondering over Pereira fighting at 205 lbs. During his career at Glory Kickboxing, the Brazilian was a two-division champion (middleweight and light heavyweight). Interestingly, he was their first and only fighter to achieve the feat.

Therefore, fans wanted to see if he could repeat the same in the UFC. Although he has lost his middleweight title, many still give him a chance at winning the light heavyweight title.

Meanwhile, Pereira is trying to zero in on an opponent for his light heavyweight debut. Being one of the bigger names on the roster, thanks to his rivalry with Adesanya, ‘Poatan’ has no lack of options. He recently shared an Instagram post asking the fans for their opinion.

Read More– Alex Pereira Next Fight: Former UFC Champion Teases His Opponent at Light Heavyweight With Name Announcement Soon

Interestingly, one challenger also stepped forward with a response in the comments.

Alex Pereira gets a challenge from light heavyweight

In his post caption “Who???“, Alex Pereira added the pictures of light heavyweights Magomed Ankalaev, Jan Blachowicz, and current champion Jamahal Hill. Of the three, the former champion Blachowicz had a response for the Brazilian.

Blachowicz wrote, “@alexpoatanpereira I’m here and ready to roll! Let’s rock!” The Polish powerhouse last fought Ankalev in December 2022 to a split draw. A win over Pereira could earn him another shot at the title.

Meanwhile, fans had some do’s and don’t’s for Pereira. Most of them advocated a fight against Blachowicz or Hill and advised him to stay away from the grapple-heavy Ankalaev.

Following are some of their reactions-

• The champ, Jamahal Hill, that would be an amazing, stand up fight
• Not Anaklaev , Dangerous matchup rest You can Win
• Anyone but mogomed because he just going to wrestle you
• Avoid Magomed lol Jan first then Jamal or whoever is champ by then
• Jan makes sense for your first fight in that weight class, then winner gets title shot
• Gonna beat Jan. Once again one upping Izzy
• do what izzy couldnt do, beat jan

What do you think of Pereira vs. Blachowicz? Who do you think wins that one? Is that an ideal fight for ‘Poatan’?

Watch This Story– Who will Alex Pereira fight after UFC 287?

Let us know in the comments below.