Alex Pereira poses in indigenous face paint at the open weigh-in on June 14, the day before the UFC White House event. [Getty Images]
Alex Pereira poses in indigenous face paint at the open weigh-in on June 14, the day before the UFC White House event. [Getty Images]

Alex Pereira, who lost his heavyweight debut — a title fight — is expected to remain in the division and pursue another shot at the belt. Josh Hawkit, who has already called out Pereira, is being discussed as a potential next opponent.

Pereira's coach, Glover Teixeira, recently spoke with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani about the fighter's plans going forward.

"Pereira plans to stay at heavyweight," Teixeira confirmed. "I'm sure he will get the belt. He will achieve his goal."

After relinquishing his light heavyweight title, Pereira stepped straight into an interim heavyweight title fight at the UFC White House event in June — his first bout at the new weight class. He was stopped by No. 1-ranked Ciryl Gane via TKO in the second round.

The ambition of becoming the first UFC fighter to capture three divisions — middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight — stalled in the heavyweight ranks. Questions arose over whether Pereira had reached his ceiling, even as controversy lingered over a potential illegal blow to the back of the head by Gane. Pereira's camp chose to push forward, with plans to fight for the title again.

Josh Hawkit, who has repeatedly called out Alex Pereira. [Getty Images]
Josh Hawkit, who has repeatedly called out Alex Pereira. [Getty Images]

A willing opponent has already stepped forward. Josh Hawkit knocked out Derrick Lewis via TKO in the second round at the White House event and has made repeated, pointed callouts of Pereira since the loss. Hawkit is on a 10-fight winning streak with no defeats.

Teixeira said he had no particular preference for a comeback opponent, but appeared mindful of Hawkit's persistent challenges. "We talk among ourselves about knocking out Hawkit and then going after the title again," he said. "It would be a great opportunity for Pereira."

"Pereira is a massive name, and the way he fights is entertainment in itself," Teixeira said. "If he wins one fight, the UFC will send him straight back to a title fight." Teixeira sees an early title rematch as a realistic prospect.

If Teixeira's outlook proves correct, Pereira would beat Hawkit in the second half of this year and then face either interim champion Ciryl Gane or soon-returning undisputed champion Tom Aspinall for the title next year — a scenario that, depending on how the UFC maps out its promotional plans, does not seem entirely out of reach.


yjc@heraldcorp.com