Alex Pereira discusses future boxing aspirations ahead of UFC 335

"

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Alex Pereira of Brazil walks to the Octagon in the UFC interim heavyweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Don’t expect to see Alex Pereira in the boxing ring any time soon, if ever. The former two-division UFC champion already has his next fight set as he’ll face Sergei Pavlovich in the five-round co-main event of UFC 335 in December in his second heavyweight matchup. However, Pereira’s longtime coach Plinio Cruz is competing in the squared circle this Saturday for Misfits Boxing. Ahead of Cruz’s return to action, Pereira was asked if he’d ever compete in the boxing ring, even after his UFC career is over. “Well, we have seven fights left on [my] UFC contract,” Pereira said to Fred Talks Fighting with Cruz translating. “I’m 39, it’s kind of impossible. But [I’m] happy to be here with [Plinio].” When asked if it could happen if he speed ran through his next seven UFC bouts, Pereira didn’t seem overly excited about a move to boxing. “No, [I’m] fine,” Pereira said. “Poatan” recently attempted to win his third divisional title at UFC White House in June. Pereira faced Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title and was stopped in the second round. Pereira has made it quite clear that he blames referee Herb Dean for the result of that fight with shots hitting the back of his head, but Pereira will likely get another chance at history sooner rather than later with a win over Pavlovich.