Historic UFC title bout tipped to be a part of White House card
A historic UFC title bout has been tipped to land on the White House card.
The UFC White House card, which is scheduled to take place on June 14, is expected to feature several high-profile fights to celebrate America's 250th founding and US president Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
The likes of Conor McGregor and Jon Jones have been linked with competing on the South Lawn.
No bouts have yet to be made official, with the proposed main-event leaked after Dana White said the card was 'done'.
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Days after the reported headliner emerged, a second UFC title bout was backed to be a part of the momentous event.
Now, Chael Sonnen, a two-time UFC title challenger, is convinced Alex Pereira will be a part of the White House card and in a championship contest. What's more, at heavyweight.
He's tipped UFC light-heavyweight champion Pereira to move up in weight to either challenge for the interim UFC heavyweight title or compete in a potential vacant UFC heavyweight championship bout.
Pereira has enjoyed a stunning spell in the UFC since joining the MMA leaders in 2021.
He has captured a UFC title at middleweight and light-heavyweight and appears to be angling for a stint at heavyweight given his social media activity, where he revealed his weight of 242lbs.
If 'Poatan' was to compete for a version of the UFC heavyweight title, then he would be in the frame to become the first fighter in UFC history to win UFC titles in three weight divisions.
Speaking in a episode titled 'Pereira’s Heavyweight Move: UFC White House' on his YouTube channel, Sonnen recognised the interim UFC title as a legitimate belt, saying: "Would Pereira in fact be eligible to be a three division champion if it's for an interim belt? In my mind, yes. Absolutely."
He later questioned: "Is Pereira getting ready to fight for the undisputed title? And is he getting ready to fight for that title at the White House?"
Whether the 38-year-old fights for the interim or undisputed UFC heavyweight titles depends on what the promotion does with Tom Aspinall, who is currently sidelined with an eye injury following his no contest against Ciryl Gane last October.
The UFC could create an interim title while Aspinall recovers or if the Brit gets stripped or decides to relinquish his title, then Pereira could be in line to challenge for an undisputed championship.
Alex Pereira: 'Light heavyweight and heavyweight, [the opponent] is indifferent to me'
Pereira hasn't fought since reclaiming the UFC light-heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev last October.
He stopped Ankalaev in the first round of their rematch at UFC 320 to recapture the 205lbs strap.
His next UFC assignment is still in the works, but it appears Pereira is eyeing a switch to heavyweight, having showed off his huge physique.
“Whoever they put in front of me, I’ll be fighting,” he said. “I love fighting, so it doesn’t matter weight classes - of course, if you say middleweight I can’t make that anymore. At the other two divisions, light heavyweight and heavyweight, [the opponent] is indifferent to me."
Dana White responds to Alex Pereira teasing a move to heavyweight
Dana White was asked about Pereira's apparent desire to compete as a heavyweight.
And he seems to be on board with the Brazilian campaigning in the UFC heavyweight division.
Speaking after last weekend's card in Houston, White said: "He’s one of those guys that always steps up, does whatever we need him to do. Whatever that guy wants to do, we would work with him."
Topics: UFC, Dana White, Donald Trump
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