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Joe Rogan reveals the shocking kryptonite that could derail Alex Pereira at heavyweight
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- Joe Rogan reveals the shocking kryptonite that could derail Alex Pereira at heavyweight
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Joe Rogan believes Alex Pereira is facing a new challenge as he prepares to move up in weight class for the second time in his UFC career.
'Poatan' made a quick rise to the top, becoming a two-division champion just two years after leaving kickboxing behind.
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Pereira is set to take on Ciryl Gane at the White House on June 14, and it's another high-stakes moment for one of Brazil's most popular fighters.
This time, he's chasing history. If he wins, Pereira would become the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in three different divisions.
But stepping into the heavyweight ranks isn't without its challenges, especially for someone already established as a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Joe Rogan says Alex Pereira's Heavyweight move could slow him down
Gane, known for his striking, should offer a more familiar matchup for Pereira. Most expect the fight to stay on the feet, with little in the way of grappling exchanges.
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If Pereira wins, though, a unification bout against Tom Aspinall will follow. That fight would likely bring more questions about his wrestling defence. Rogan believes this is where Pereira might run into trouble after adding size and muscle to handle the heavyweight division.
"He's 250 (pounds) now, which is crazy," Rogan said on a recent episode of his JRE MMA Show. "That's almost 70 pounds different from his UFC debut.
"(He won't have to cut weight), but he also put on muscle, and there's an issue with that. The difference in MMA is with grappling. The difference is with weight. If you get a big, heavy guy and he gets on top of you, all your speed is gone within the first three or four minutes," he added.
Aspinall had double eye surgery earlier this year after Gane caught him with repeated pokes during their title clash in October 2025. The UFC has apparently assured Aspinall that a clash with his interim counterpart – whoever that may end up being – will await him upon his planned return later in 2026.
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