Alex Pereira Vacates Title: Losses, Payouts, Heavyweight Move

Alex Pereira has done something few fighters even dare to consider: he gave up a UFC championship belt to chase a bigger challenge. The Brazilian powerhouse vacated his light heavyweight title in February 2026 and announced a move to heavyweight, setting up a debut at UFC Freedom 250 against Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.

MMA Record: 13-4-0 ·
Height: 6’4″ (194 cm) ·
Reach: 79″ (201 cm) ·
UFC Titles: 2-division champion (middleweight, light heavyweight) ·
Kickboxing Record: 33-7-0

Eleven key facts about Alex Pereira—from his physical frame to his championship resume—show a fighter built for the heavyweight division.

Who did Alex Pereira lose to?

Losses in MMA

Pereira’s MMA record is 13-4-0, with four losses spread across his career. The first came in 2015, when Quemuel Ottoni submitted him. In 2020, Marcin Prachnio stopped him by TKO. The most high-profile losses: a TKO defeat to Israel Adesanya in 2023 and a knockout loss to Magomed Ankalaev in 2024 (Wikipedia (combat sports database)).

Losses in kickboxing

Before MMA, Pereira compiled a 33-7-0 kickboxing record, meaning he absorbed seven losses across 40 bouts. His kickboxing résumé includes wins over future rival Israel Adesanya, but he also suffered defeats to lesser-known opponents. The pattern: Pereira has never been an undefeated fighter, but he has consistently rebounded from losses to win titles.

The implication: Pereira’s losses are clustered early in his MMA career and against elite competition. His ability to bounce back is proven, but the move to heavyweight introduces new risks.

Why is Alex Pereira vacating the light heavyweight title?

Reasons for vacating

Pereira announced he was vacating the UFC light heavyweight championship in February 2026, according to Reuters (international news agency). The move was confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White, who said Pereira would move to heavyweight (ESPN (sports media)). Pereira himself called it a “pretty easy choice,” telling CBS Sports (sports outlet) he wanted to go to heavyweight and did not want to hold the light heavyweight division up.

Impact on light heavyweight division

The vacant title will be contested by Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327 on April 11, 2026 in Miami (ESPN (sports media)). Pereira’s departure opens the door for a fresh title fight in a division that was stuck waiting for his next move.

Quote from Pereira

“I wanted to go to heavyweight. I let go of my belt because I did not want to hold the division up.”

— Alex Pereira, via CBS Sports (sports outlet)

The catch: By vacating, Pereira forfeits the chance to defend the light heavyweight title again, but he also avoids the weight cut and positions himself for a potential three-division legacy—something only a handful of fighters have ever attempted.

How many losses does Alex Pereira have?

MMA losses breakdown

Pereira has four losses in MMA: Quemuel Ottoni (submission, 2015), Marcin Prachnio (TKO, 2020), Israel Adesanya (TKO, 2023), and Magomed Ankalaev (KO, 2024). According to Wikipedia (combat sports database), his record stands at 13-4-0.

Kickboxing losses

In kickboxing, he has 7 losses in 40 fights (33-7-0). Those defeats came at various points in his career but never prevented him from becoming a two-division Glory champion.

What this means: For a fighter moving to heavyweight, the loss history suggests that when he does lose, it’s by stoppage—not decision. That pattern could be a liability against heavier hitters like Ciryl Gane.

Has Conor McGregor fought Alex Pereira?

No matchup history

Conor McGregor and Alex Pereira have never fought. The two have never been scheduled to meet, and no negotiations have been reported. McGregor’s last fight was in 2021 against Dustin Poirier, and he has since been inactive while dealing with injuries and legal issues (Wikipedia (fighter profile)).

Conor McGregor’s career timeline

McGregor fought at lightweight and welterweight during his prime, while Pereira competed at middleweight, light heavyweight, and now heavyweight. The weight class difference—roughly 50 pounds—made a matchup impractical even when both were active. Pereira is 6’4″ with a 79-inch reach; McGregor is 5’9″ with a 74-inch reach. The size disparity alone would have made a fight unlikely.

The trade-off: Fans who compare the two are often drawn to their shared knockout power, but they operate in completely different weight classes and eras. No fight is in the pipeline.

What is going on with Alex Pereira?

Recent career developments

Pereira vacated the light heavyweight title on February 28, 2026, as reported by Reuters (international news agency). The announcement was made by Dana White on that date. Pereira’s heavyweight debut is scheduled for UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, 2026, against Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, per CBS Sports (sports outlet).

Move to heavyweight

Pereira has fought at 205 pounds for most of his UFC career but has walked around at 220-230 pounds. For heavyweight, he can fight at 251 pounds without cutting weight. The move is seen as a bid to become the UFC’s first three-division champion (CT Insider (regional news)).

Upcoming fight at UFC Freedom 250

The event is scheduled for the White House South Lawn, a unique venue. Pereira’s estimated payout for the fight is not yet released, but based on his previous fights (headlining UFC 295, 300, etc.), analysts project a base purse of $1-2 million plus PPV points. The financial incentive is likely a major factor in the decision to move up (CBS Sports (sports outlet)).

The implication: If Pereira beats Gane, he becomes the interim heavyweight champion and likely faces Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall for the undisputed title. If he loses, the three-division dream ends, but the financial upside of the fight itself already makes the gamble worthwhile.

Physical and fight stats: Alex Pereira

Five key measurements and career statistics that define Pereira’s physical profile and fighting style.

Pereira’s gamble is clear: he gave up a guaranteed title fight to chase a bigger payday and a place in history. For the UFC, the move creates a fresh heavyweight title picture and a marquee event at the White House. For Pereira, the consequence is binary: either he becomes the first three-division champion in UFC history, or he takes a loss that resets his career at age 39. For fight fans, the choice is simple: watch closely.