Alex Pereira vacates title in White House hint with fight for belt confirmed on UFC 327 card

Alex Pereira has vacated his UFC light-heavyweight title with a fight for the belt now confirmed to take place at UFC 327.

Pereira won back the 205lbs belt with a simply sensational first round stoppage of Magomed Ankalaev in their rematch last October.

Getty

Ever since, ‘Poatan’ has teased a move up to heavyweight, which would see him bid to make UFC history and become the first ever three-division champion.

UFC president Dana White has toyed with the idea of the Brazilian moving up, but had not previously been fully on board.

But now in the biggest hint yet that the move has been sanctioned, it has been confirmed that Pereira has vacated his crown.

As a result, Jiri Prochazka will take on Carlos Ulberg for the vacant undisputed crown at UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami, Florida.

Ulberg had been the favourite out of any to land a shot at Pereira, had he elected to make another defence, given Prochazka was stopped by the previous champion in 2024.

After a statement ninth consecutive win which came over Dominick Reyes, ‘Black Jag’ will fancy his chances of securing the title at the first time of asking.

UFC kingpin White announced a blockbuster bill that is stacked with some top talent, with Joshua Van also defending his title against Tatsuro Taira.

Other notable names on the bill include lightweights Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot, Paulo Costa and Curtis Blaydes’ huge clash with fast-rising prospect Josh Hokit.

It is a bumper bill, and now it appears stronger than ever that Pereira will pursue new glory and a shot at competing on the UFC White House card.

The UFC’s schedule is strengthening again, and an announcement on if Pereira will make the cut for the historic South Lawn slate is expected imminently.

UFC 327 full fight card

Main card

• Jiri Prochazka (#2) vs. Carlos Ulberg (#3) — Vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
• Joshua Van (c) vs. Tatsuro Taira (#3) — UFC Flyweight Championship
• Curtis Blaydes (#4) vs. Josh Hokit — Heavyweight
• Beneil Dariush (#12) vs. Manuel Torres (#14) — Lightweight
• Dominick Reyes (#10) vs. Johnny Walker (#12) — Light Heavyweight

Prelims

• Azamat Murzakanov (#6) vs. Paulo Costa — Light Heavyweight
• Patricio Pitbull (#12) vs. Aaron Pico — Featherweight
• Mateusz Gamrot (#7) vs. Esteban Ribovics — Lightweight
• Cub Swanson vs. Nate Landwehr — Featherweight
• Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown — Welterweight
• Kelvin Gastelum vs. Vicente Luque — Middleweight
• Tatiana Suarez (#2) vs. Loopy Godinez (#6) — Women’s Strawweight
• Christopher Alvidrez vs. Francisco Prado — Welterweight

What next for Alex Pereira?

It appears of course that Pereira is on track to try and make UFC history, having previously also reigned champion as middleweight.

The heavy-striking talent has looked heavier than ever in recent weeks, signalling a change in weight.

And he has made several pleas to try and lure UFC legend Jon Jones back into the cage for a battle with the title on the line that he too previously vacated.

Jones snubbed a showdown with Tom Aspinall, but has already opened the door to a clash with the Brazilian giant.

‘Bones’ has also shown a regular intent to try and get White to put him on the bill, which may now have finally paid off despite resistance.

But he has suggested his physical condition isn’t currently at an optimum after suffering with hip problems, which could plunge any clash into doubt.

Pereira could alternatively look to a potential showdown with Ciryl Gane, who recently missed out on claiming Tom Aspinall’s title after a controversial eye poke.