This former champion thinks Alex Pereira could run into some trouble.

The UFC light heavyweight king has made it clear what he wants to happen in 2026 after finishing last year back on the throne at 205 pounds.

Pereira exacted his revenge on Magomed Ankalaev by knocking the Dagestani out in their October rematch. Rather than consolidating his second reign, ‘Poatan’ has his sights set on a different division.

The former middleweight titleholder is planning to move up again, with Pereira calling for a heavyweight switch in the aftermath of his latest triumph.

Given that the weight class is known for a lack of depth and skill, the Brazilian is being widely tipped to become the UFC’s first three-division champ. But one man familiar with Pereira’s abilities says not so fast…

Jamahal Hill warns ex-opponent Alex Pereira of heavyweight threat

Alex Pereira has enjoyed little but success since moving up to light heavyweight in 2024, and that success has certainly been violent.

Among the Brazilian’s victims at 205 pounds is former champ Jamahal Hill, who had his push for two-time status emphatically ended by way of a viral first-round knockout at UFC 300.

‘Sweet Dreams’ recently became the latest to preview Pereira’s planned heavyweight move, and he reminded his former rival of the sizable foes who await him in the heavier division.

“I know he wants a challenge. He wants a money fight, he wants to really get paid,” Hill told The Schmo.

“It’s possible, especially after what we’ve seen in the last fight. Aspinall against Ciryl Gane, how effective the jab was and how (Aspinall) can be outboxed. But I still think that’s a tough one.

“That’s a tough ask for the simple fact of he’s going to grab him,” he continued. “‘Poatan’ has been able to defend the takedown but he has been put down on the ground at 205 (pounds).

“Those big guys at heavyweight, they will just lift him. They’ll be able to lift him.”

Jiri Prochazka might have confirmed Alex Pereira’s next UFC fight

While the UFC is yet to confirm whether ‘Poatan’ will stay at 205 pounds or move up again, another former light heavyweight champion’s recent remarks about the Brazilian may have revealed their plans.

Jiri Prochazka knocked out Khalil Rountree Jr. to make it back-to-back wins since his second loss to Pereira. The Czech star has campaigned for another title shot ever since, and it appears that could come to fruition in the form of a fight with Carlos Ulberg.

Ulberg is widely seen as the number one contender, and the UFC’s apparent push to book him against Prochazka for either a vacant or interim title would suggest that Pereira is indeed moving up.

“All this information on the internet about me and Ulberg, it’s not true because the fight is not confirmed yet it’s still in negotiations and just for me,” Prochazka recently wrote on Instagram. “I can say I want to fight at the end of March because in April it is time for baby.

“This is the only one thing I can say, and that, I want to fight for a title, believe the official messages from the UFC,” he added.