Former Ultimate Fighting Championship two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo believes that fellow multi-division standout Alex Pereira needs to secure a series of definitive victories in the heavyweight division before he can rightfully challenge for the championship belt once again.
The discussion surrounding Pereira’s place in the heavyweight title picture comes as the dynamic striker prepares for his next high-stakes assignment. Pereira (13-4) is scheduled to step into the Octagon against top-tier contender Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335, which is set to take place on Dec. 12 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
However, Pereira has publicly expressed frustration regarding the current championship landscape, maintaining that he deserved an immediate title rematch against reigning heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane. Instead of granting Pereira a second consecutive opportunity at the belt, the promotion booked Gane to defend his heavyweight championship against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Henry Cejudo Wants Alex Pereira to Win Two or Three Heavyweight Fights Before Another UFC Title Shot
Speaking on the latest developments in the division, Cejudo pointed out that Pereira has historically enjoyed a fast-tracked path to championship contention across multiple weight classes. “Triple C,” known for his sharp analysis and outspoken nature, highlighted the unique circumstance that immediately thrusted Pereira into an interim heavyweight championship bout against Gane during his divisional debut at UFC Freedom 250.
Given how rapidly Pereira transitioned from other weight classes straight into the upper echelon of the heavyweight division, Cejudo argues that the Brazilian powerhouse must now prove himself by building a solid winning record against the division’s elite before receiving another golden opportunity at the crown.
“It’s a part of him being spoiled too,” Cejudo said during a recent episode of the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast. “Alex, I’m not picking on you… You’ve skipped lines; you’ve skipped lines long enough. You’ve had enough opportunities against Ciryl Gane and you lost. Yeah, there were illegal blows; I do agree with you on that. But man, that jab from Ciryl Gane wobbled you. We kind of saw where the fight was going. It was your debut at heavyweight… I feel like you need to win at least two–three more fights to fight for the title.”
Cejudo’s assessment touches on the nuances of Pereira’s heavyweight debut against Gane, where the former champion faced adversity early in the bout. While acknowledging that certain controversial elements, such as illegal blows, impacted the flow of the contest, Cejudo emphasized that Gane’s technical proficiency—particularly his jab—presented immediate problems for Pereira as he tested the heavyweight waters for the first time.
The debate over preferential treatment and fast-tracked title paths is nothing new in the upper tiers of mixed martial arts promotion, but it has gained renewed traction with Pereira’s aggressive pivot toward heavyweight gold. As one of the most prolific and active fighters in recent promotional history, Pereira has consistently demanded the toughest challenges available, often bypassing traditional contender elimination bouts.
Cejudo is not the only high-profile figure within the mixed martial arts community to weigh in on Pereira’s public grievances regarding the heavyweight title hierarchy. The tension surrounding the division has also drawn commentary from other former two-division champions and analysts, reflecting deep divisions of opinion regarding how championship opportunities should be distributed.
Prior to Cejudo’s recent comments, “Poatan” himself voiced frustrations outside of the cage, alleging that former champion and current prominent broadcaster Daniel Cormier actively promoted the booking of Gane versus Hokit at the direct behest of the Ultimate Fighting Championship management. The accusations pointed toward potential behind-the-scenes influences shaping the championship landscape.
Those allegations did not go unanswered within the combat sports community. Cormier quickly addressed and denied the accusations made by Pereira, pushing back against the notion that media personalities or commentators dictate matchmaking decisions or operate as administrative proxies for the organization’s executive leadership.
As the calendar moves closer to the final stretch of the year, the heavyweight division remains a focal point of drama and anticipation. With Pereira locked into a formidable matchup against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 in Las Vegas, the outcome of that encounter will likely dictate whether the explosive striker can begin fulfilling Cejudo’s criteria of stacking up victories, or if he will continue to press for an expedited route back to the championship throne. Meanwhile, Ciryl Gane prepares to defend his title against Josh Hokit at Madison Square Garden, setting the stage for a pivotal sequence of events that will ultimately define the immediate future of the UFC heavyweight division.
