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Hall of Famer believes Alex Pereira's 'championship mindset' helps him prevail at UFC 335

Former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira is stepping into a pivotal moment for his career at UFC 335, where he will face knockout specialist Sergei Pavlovich in a five-round heavyweight bout on December 12. The match, set to take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, could determine Pereira’s future in the division, as he remains at 265 pounds—a weight class he has only recently adopted.

The fight holds significant implications for the heavyweight title picture, with Pereira aiming to secure a No. 1 contender’s spot against reigning champion Ciryl Gane, who recently defended his title at UFC 334.

Pereira’s transition to heavyweight has drawn mixed reactions from UFC legends, including Hall of Famer Michael Bisping, who has openly questioned whether the Brazilian can compete effectively at this weight. Meanwhile, other veterans like Daniel Cormier have urged Pereira to reconsider his approach, suggesting he may be better suited returning to his more natural light heavyweight division.

The outcome of this bout could shape Pereira’s legacy and his path forward in the UFC’s heavyweight landscape.

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