Hooker eyes Pereira as first title defense if he beats Gane

Pereira open to fight as Hooker's stock rises

Both men already plotting next moves ahead of their respective bouts

Alex Pereira (left) and Josh Hooker, whose rivalry is shaping up as the UFC heavyweight division's next major feud. [Getty Images]
Alex Pereira (left) and Josh Hooker, whose rivalry is shaping up as the UFC heavyweight division's next major feud. [Getty Images]

A full-blown feud is taking shape between rising UFC heavyweight contender Josh Hooker, 29, of the United States and former two-division champion Alex Pereira, 39, of Brazil. After Hooker mocked Pereira as a "big dummy," Pereira fired back by calling Hooker a far easier opponent than the man he is actually scheduled to fight.

In a recent interview with former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, Hooker said he wants Pereira as his first challenger if he wins the heavyweight title. "I want Pereira. I've heard how much money he makes. His name is the most valuable one for me. I want to test what that name is worth," Hooker said.

Hooker went on to say he hopes Pereira does not get knocked out by Sergei Pavlovich before they can meet, adding a pointed jab: "Stupid people do stupid things. If stupidity were a country, Alex would be its president."

It is not the first time Hooker has gone after Pereira. After Pereira lost to Ciryl Gane in June and called for an immediate rematch, Hooker publicly dismissed him as undeserving. More recently, Hooker released a rap video called "MSG Freestyle" under the name "J-Word," taking aim at Pereira along with Gane, Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall and Ilia Topuria.

Pereira has not backed down. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Pereira said the UFC had at one point offered either a rematch with Gane or a fight against Hooker, but neither came together. "Fighting Hooker after the loss would have been much easier than fighting Pavlovich," Pereira said. "Hooker is a much easier opponent for me. Pavlovich is a slightly more dangerous fighter."

Pereira also questioned Hooker's readiness, pointing to signs of fading conditioning in Hooker's recent bouts and suggesting Hooker is not prepared for a five-round title fight against Gane.

Whether the war of words leads to an actual matchup depends on what happens next for both men. Hooker, undefeated in 10 professional MMA bouts, challenges heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 14 (local time).

Hooker joined the UFC last year and quickly earned a title shot, defeating Curtis Blaydes by decision and stopping Derrick Lewis by TKO in the second round.

Robert Whittaker, who has expressed interest in a light heavyweight bout with Alex Pereira. [Getty Images]
Robert Whittaker, who has expressed interest in a light heavyweight bout with Alex Pereira. [Getty Images]

Pereira is set to face Pavlovich at UFC 335 in Las Vegas on Dec. 12. A former middleweight and light heavyweight champion, Pereira suffered a second-round TKO loss to Gane in his heavyweight debut in June, falling short in his bid to become the UFC's first three-division champion.

Should Hooker dethrone Gane and claim the belt, a title fight with Pereira could come into play — though Pereira will first need to prove himself against Pavlovich.

Meanwhile, a return to light heavyweight remains another option for Pereira. He has said he could drop back down in weight if he loses to Pavlovich, and former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, 35, of Australia — who recently moved up to light heavyweight — has expressed interest in facing him.

"If Pereira comes back to light heavyweight, I'd be happy to welcome him. It would be a fun fight," Whittaker said in an interview with Submission Radio.


yjc@heraldcorp.com