Pereira versus Pavlovich at UFC 335
Alex Pereira Returns to Heavyweight to Face Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335
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Key Points
1
After his loss to Ciryl Gane, Pereira disputed the result, alleging illegal strikes and reportedly raising safety concerns strongly enough to threaten retirement from MMA.
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UFC CEO Dana White first announced the matchup on Nina Drama’s Kick.com livestream before the promotion made it official during the UFC 332 broadcast.
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Pavlovich’s recent three-fight run includes a knockout of Tallison Teixeira in May.
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Pereira’s bid to become a three-division champion followed his second light heavyweight title reign; he vacated that belt before moving up to heavyweight.
Alex Pereira will face Sergei Pavlovich in a five-round co-main event at UFC 335 on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, according to MMA Fighting. The matchup marks Pereira's return to heavyweight after a controversial loss to Ciryl Gane in June. The former two-division champion is seeking his first win in the heavyweight division.
UFC CEO Dana White announced the fight during Nina Drama's Kick.com livestream before the promotion made it official during the UFC 332 broadcast, per Bloody Elbow. A win for either fighter could push them closer to a title shot in the heavyweight division.
Pereira's Controversial Drop to Heavyweight
Pereira vacated his light heavyweight title to pursue the heavyweight division in his quest to become a three-division champion, MMA Junkie reported. His first attempt ended in a disputed second-round TKO loss to Ciryl Gane. Pereira disputed the result and raised safety concerns about illegal strikes, reportedly threatening retirement from MMA.
Pavlovich Builds Momentum With Three-Fight Win Streak
Sergei Pavlovich is riding a three-fight winning streak after consecutive losses to Alexander Volkov and Tom Aspinall, according to BJ Penn. The heavyweight knockout artist most recently defeated Tallison Teixeira by knockout in May. Pavlovich's aggressive striking makes him a dangerous test for Pereira's heavyweight debut.
Title Implications for UFC Heavyweight Division
Both fighters stand to gain significantly from a December victory, Yahoo Sports noted. A win by Pereira would establish credibility in a new weight class and potentially set up a title shot. For Pavlovich, victory over a former two-division champion would strengthen his case for challenging the current heavyweight champion.
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