Scott Fontana Alex Pereira’s bid to make UFC history impressive, regardless of interim label By Scott Fontana Published March 12, 2026, 8:30 a.m. ET Alex Pereira pantomimes firing an arrow during his June walkout at UFC 303. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Alex Pereira is going for the UFC triple crown*.
Why the asterisk for MMA’s No. 1 light heavyweight in the world, whose already been the No. 1 middleweight in the world — and No. 1 in both divisions in Glory Kickboxing — as he takes on the unprecedented task of looking to win a UFC title in a third weight class?
Sorry (not sorry) for the groaner, but already some handwringing has accompanied the announcement that “Poatan,” who will vacate his 205-pound championship, will vie for interim heavyweight gold against Ciryl Gane in the co-headliner of the lightning rod UFC White House event that I am obligated to refer to at least once (and only once) as UFC Freedom 250.
