Alex Pereira appears to be chasing UFC history, and Daniel Cormier is all for it.
UFC CEO Dana White turned some heads when he announced that the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is being vacated. A new 205-pound titleholder will be crowned when former champion Jiri Prochazka meets Carlos Ulberg in the main event of UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami.
This has left many to assume that “Poatan” will be looking to capture the UFC Heavyweight Championship. No UFC fighter has held titles in three different weight classes and if Pereira will ultimately compete for heavyweight gold, many believe he has a solid chance to further cement his legacy.
Cormier uploaded a new video on his YouTube channel showing support for Pereira’s lofty goal (via MMAJunkie).
“I think what matters to me is that Alex Pereira has given up that belt and it seems like he’s going to fight at heavyweight,” Cormier said. “I don’t think Pereira would give up his belt just to take a fight. I don’t think a guy just gives up a belt to take a fight. So if he is fighting at heavyweight, and if he is going to get an opportunity to fight for the heavyweight championship, who is it?”
Cormier speculated on the potential names that could end up going one-on-one with Pereira for the heavyweight gold. Regardless of who the opponent is, Cormier thinks Pereira’s move makes sense if the opportunity to chase history is at stake.
“Is it Ciryl (Gane)? Is it (Jon) Jones? (Tom) Aspinall’s out. And if it is Ciryl Gane, how does that fit with you consider what happened in the fight between Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall? I don’t care who it is though. I want to see a guy chase a third title. We haven’t had that. We haven’t had a guy hold a belt in three weight classes. Pereira is saying, ‘Right now I have that opportunity.’ Or at least it seems that way.”
Who do you think Alex Pereira ultimately fights next? Give us your prediction in the comments below.