Daniel Cormier wants Alex Pereira to go back to light heavyweight

They say, ‘We have weight classes for a reason.’ Size does matter and Daniel Cormier would like to see fellow former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira return to the light heavyweight division.

Pereira relinquished his 205-pound world championship in April to move up to the heavyweight division and chase history. “Poatan” wanted to become the first three-division champion in the promotion’s history. He was defeated via second-round TKO to interim champion Ciryl Gane on the UFC Freedom 250 fight card at The White House this past June.

Over the weekend, during the UFC 332 broadcast, Pereira’s next fight was announced and he’s remaining in the heavyweight division. The Brazilian faces former interim title challenger Sergei Pavlovich in the UFC 335 co-main event in December. Cormier believes the 205-pound weight class is where Pereira should be.

“I believe that he should fight at 205. I think that’s the sweet spot for Alex Pereira,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “I think heavyweight’s big. I think 185 is like killing him to make the weight. I think 205 is that sweet spot where he can ultimately max out his powers.”

“I can understand where Alex is going, ‘Why should I ever have to cut weight again in my life?’ He hits so hard. He’s got so much power,” continued Cormier. “He has all the skill and ability to be as good as he wants in any weight class he wants. But, there are weight classes for a reason. And I think heavyweight is like right at that limit of probably where he shouldn’t be.”

While “DC” thinks light heavyweight is the best division for Pereira, he also believes the Brazilian has the skillset to become a heavyweight champion.

“Alex does have the potential to become a heavyweight world champion,” said Cormier. “Size does matter in fighting, in wrestling. In any combat sport, size does matter at a particular point, especially when you start getting to the elite of the elite in that division.”