Alex Pereira’s Career at Heavyweight Could Be Over if He Loses to Sergei Pavlovich
Alex Pereira has not competed since a devastating TKO loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026, a defeat that derailed his bid to capture the interim heavyweight title and become the first three-division champion in UFC history. The Brazilian knockout artist has spent his time recovering and campaigning for a rematch, claiming illegal shots to the back of the head contributed to his downfall.
Now, Pereira has taken to social media to tease fight news. In a recent Instagram story, Pereira hinted that a significant announcement is imminent.
“It’s coming. Good news, that’s right, a big challenge,” Pereira said in Portuguese. “Like I told you, if I hadn’t taken risks in all my fights, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
The vague but pointed message has fans wondering who the former two-division champion will face next.
With Tom Aspinall recently vacating the heavyweight title due to lingering eye injuries, the division is in a state of flux.
UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that interim champion Ciryl Gane will not be automatically elevated and will need to fight again to determine the undisputed champion. Gane will face Josh Hokit in the main event of UFC 334 in New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14.
With a Gane rematch out of the picture for Pereira’s immediate future, one opponent stands out as the most logical option.
Who Will Alex Pereira Fight?
With Pereira currently ranked at No. 3 in the heavyweight division, a fight between the No. 2-ranked heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich and “Poatan” seems to be the most likely option.
Pavlovich, a massively built knockout artist hailing from Russia, has some of the most devastating power in the heavyweight division. Both men are known for their finishing ability, and a fight between them would be a guaranteed slugfest likely to end violently, making it an easy sell for the UFC from an entertainment standpoint.
Pavlovich has been lurking in the heavyweight rankings for years, waiting for a marquee opportunity that could propel him into title contention. Like Pereira, he has previously fought for the interim heavyweight belt, but lost via KO.
Since his championship loss to Tom Aspinall in 2023 and losing a decision to Alexander Volkov the following year, Pavlovich has rebounded with three straight wins, including a 39-second knockout of Pereira’s training partner, Tallison Teixeira.
SERGEI PAVLOVICH ONLY NEEDED 35 SECONDS 😨#UFCMacau
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 30, 2026
📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/BVa09nm2sM
A victory over a name as massive as Pereira would instantly elevate Pavlovich to the front of the line for the next title shot.
This matchup also carries high stakes for Pereira in terms of risk. If he loses to Pavlovich, Pereira’s stock as a heavyweight may drop too far for him to ever mount a comeback for the UFC heavyweight championship belt. If he wins, however, he opens the door for a title shot.
For a fighter who says he has never shied away from risk, this option aligns perfectly with Pereira’s stated philosophy.
For now, however, UFC fans will have to wait for the official announcement.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.