Alex Pereira plans to weigh around 110 kg for Sergei Pavlovich, vows not to become a 'stepping stone'

On The Ariel Helwani Show, Alex Pereira said he will come in lighter for Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335, called his chin critics 'idiots' and said he is happy with his UFC contract.

Former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira says he will come in noticeably lighter for his heavyweight fight against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 on December 12 in Las Vegas. Pereira made the comments in studio on The Ariel Helwani Show on Wednesday, October 21, where he also addressed critics of his chin, his future in the sport, his UFC contract and his frustration over not getting Ciryl Gane or Josh Hokit next. The quotes below are from clips posted by Ariel Helwani on X.

Around 110 kg for Pavlovich

"I'll be lighter. I think I'll be around 110 kg, which is probably like 240-something," Pereira said. "I just feel that I've gotta be a little lighter." Helwani described it as around 10 pounds lighter than before. Pereira vs Pavlovich is the five-round co-main event of UFC 335 at T-Mobile Arena, under Charles Oliveira vs Diego Lopes for the BMF title.

It will be the Brazilian's first fight since Gane stopped him in the second round of his heavyweight debut at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Pereira protested that result, claiming illegal strikes, MMA Junkie reported.

'A bunch of idiots'

Pereira hit back at those who say the Gane loss exposed his durability. "The fools that say I cannot take a punch, I can call them a bunch of idiots," he said. "I took those punches in the beginning of the fight. Everybody was still fresh. Anybody who takes a hit like that, sometimes people go down, go out cold. I didn't. I was still able to fight."

He also suggested referees should prepare for each card by studying the fighters they officiate, including those with "a record of eye pokes, low blows, elbows" and those who keep throwing heavy shots after hurting an opponent.

Gane, Hokit and the UFC

Pereira said what upset him most after the loss was being told he could fight Gane for the belt or face Hokit, "and then none of that happened." He said a fight with Hokit "would be much, much easier for me than fighting Pavlovich", but that he sat down with UFC executive Hunter Campbell and "straightened things out." He now sees Pavlovich as "a very good fight for me."

Pereira questioned whether Hokit, who challenges Gane for the heavyweight title at UFC 334 on November 14 in New York, is ready. "If you see the last fights, he was actually getting very tired," he said. "So imagine a five-round fight." He also explained why he had questioned Daniel Cormier's commentary, saying Cormier is "a guy that has influence" and that praise for Hokit made him think "something's going on." Cormier and UFC CEO Dana White have previously denied that the UFC told Cormier to promote Gane vs Hokit.

Pereira admitted he thought about returning to light heavyweight, but said the plan is to stay at heavyweight: "I'm fighting Pavlovich. I want to win. I want to fight Gane again." He added that if it does not work out, he will not keep "trying to go too much with these heavyweights if I have a different option."

No 'stepping stone', no boxing

The 39-year-old said he will not stay past his prime. "If I start losing, if things start not going too good, I don't want to be a stepping stone for nobody," Pereira said. "We're all settled, so I have nothing to prove anymore."

Asked about the big money in Zuffa Boxing, he said he is content with his UFC deal: "I could go box and make another $40 million, but for what? I'm happy with the plan and work we've done."

What's next

UFC 334, November 14, New York: Ciryl Gane vs Josh Hokit for the heavyweight title
UFC 335, December 12, Las Vegas: Charles Oliveira vs Diego Lopes (BMF title), Alex Pereira vs Sergei Pavlovich