Alex Pereira vacates UFC title amid heavyweight speculation before UFC 327 in Miami, Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg to fight for vacant belt
Published 28/02/2026 at 23:42 GMT
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The light heavyweight title will be up for grabs for one of Jiri Prochazka or Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327 in Miami on April 11. That is because the belt has been vacated by Alex Pereira, who is now expected to move up to the heavyweight division in a bid to become a three-weight UFC champion. The Brazilian last fought in October, when he reclaimed the light heavyweight title from Magomed Ankalaev.
Highlights: Pereira dominates Ankalaev to reclaim light heavyweight title
Video credit: TNT Sports
Alex Pereira has vacated his light heavyweight title amid rumours of a move to the heavyweight division.
The Brazilian had not yet defended the belt he reclaimed after beating Magomed Ankalaev in October last year.
No official reason was given for the decision to vacate the title, which UFC president Dana White announced on Friday.
Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg will fight for the light heavyweight title at UFC 327 in Miami on April 11.
White also revealed that the card for this summer's White House event is expected to be announced this week.
That has led to speculation that Pereira could be given an interim heavyweight title fight in Washington D.C.
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Highlights: Costa downs Ige in first round with spinning back kick TKO
Video credit: TNT Sports
The 38-year-old had already made clear his intention to move up a weight class after beating Ankalaev and avenging his defeat to the Russian in March last year.
And he teased the imminent announcement of his next fight earlier this month.
"We are talking about some things," Pereira said. "My next fight, we've already started conversations. It took a little while, but it's very close to something being announced."
Pereira's next move has been a discussion point for months following his last fight in October.
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Speaking after he reclaimed the light heavyweight title, TNT Sports' Nick Peet said: "You've got to look at the work he's done in the last four years and the manner of those victories - so many knockouts, three-time UFC champion now, and when you go back and look at the greatest of all time, it's comparable to any of those, in terms of getting people out in the most explosive and entertaining fashion.
"What he requires, what he's missing, is the longevity. At 38 years of age, he hasn't got the years left to be dominant over a long period of time. So what he's got to do is do something that all the greats never managed to do, and that's become a three-weight UFC champion.
"For me, he's got nothing left to prove at 205lbs. Absolutely, he should go up to heavyweight, he should face the winner of [Tom] Aspinall vs [Cyril] Gane, and give us something sensational to look forward to."
Michael Bisping added: "I think at 38 years old he does have the time to go to heavyweight, because, as we know, those guys do have a longer career.
"By all means, let the man go up to heavyweight."
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