Alex Pereira will return to action against Sergei Pavlovich in the five-round co-main event at UFC 335 on December 12. With major implications for the heavyweight title picture, the fight could be a turning point in the Brazilian’s career. After suffering a brutal knockout loss to Ciryl Gane in his heavyweight debut in June, Pereira now has a chance to prove he belongs in the division.
However, moving up to 265 pounds comes with its own challenges. Experts like Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier have already warned Pereira about the risks of competing at heavyweight, especially considering that he began his UFC career at middleweight. While his size and power helped him thrive at 185 and 205 pounds, the heavyweight division presents a different kind of challenge.
With that in mind, Pereira has made it clear that he won’t stick around if things start going south. Although winning a third UFC title remains one of his biggest goals, the former two-division champion doesn’t want to become a stepping stone for younger fighters as his career winds down.
Pereira has suffered back-to-back setbacks against Gane and Magomed Ankalaev, and another loss could force him to reconsider how much longer he wants to compete. If Pavlovich gets his hand raised, the Brazilian may be closer to retirement than many fans expect.
Alex Pereira Vows Not to Become a Stepping Stone for Younger Fighters
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Pereira opened up about knowing when it’s time to walk away. He said, “You gotta learn how to see when it’s your moment and when it’s not.”
He further explained that he has no interest in sticking around just to help younger fighters build their reputations. Pereira added, “If one day I start losing, if things start not going too good, I don’t want to be a stepping stone for nobody to be going up. I’ll just be focusing on enjoying my time and enjoying my money.”
The Brazilian also reflected on what he has accomplished throughout his career, making it clear that he’s already secured a future for himself and his family. He said, “We did a very good career plan for me, my kids, my future, my kids’ future, for the institute that I built. We’re all settled, so I have nothing to prove anymore.”
Alex Pereira makes it clear he has no intention of sticking around past his prime and becoming a stepping stone for the next generation of fighters:
“You gotta learn how to see when it’s your moment and when it’s not.
If I start losing, If things start not going too good, I don’t want to be a stepping stone for nobody to be going up.
I’ll just be focusing on enjoying my time and enjoying my money.
We did a very good career plan for me, my kids, my future, my kids’ future, for the institute that I built. We’re all settled, so I have nothing to prove anymore.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 21, 2026
ALSO READ: Alex Pereira Makes Surprising U-Turn on Herb Dean After Public Criticism
Still, Pereira isn’t entering the Pavlovich fight with retirement on his mind just yet. He’s determined to make the most of his heavyweight run and has even revealed plans to come in 10 pounds lighter than he did against Gane.
Pereira weighed 251 pounds for that fight, meaning he could tip the scales at around 240 pounds this time. The lighter frame could help him move more freely and maintain his speed against the Russian.
Alex Pereira plans to come into the Sergei Pavlovich fight lighter than he was in his heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane:
“I think I’ll be around 110 kg [242 lbs]. I just feel that I gotta be a little lighter.”
(via @arielhelwani) https://t.co/e612HHKFWo
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 21, 2026
At 39, Pereira knows he’s approaching the latter stages of his combat sports career after spending years competing at the highest level. Capturing heavyweight gold remains a major ambition, but he’s also made it clear that he won’t sacrifice his long-term happiness just to prolong his time in the Octagon.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
