Pereira admits Pavlovich is tougher than Hokit after UFC matchmaking frustration

Alex Pereira has opened up about his frustration with the UFC’s heavyweight matchmaking, admitting that Josh Hokit would have been a far easier assignment than his upcoming opponent Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Pereira (13-4) told Ariel Helwani that he had been led to believe his next fight would either be a title rematch against Ciryl Gane or a grudge match with the unbeaten Hokit (10-0), who has repeatedly criticised “Poatan” in public. When neither materialised and Pavlovich (21-3) was announced instead, the frustration set in.

“What got me more upset at that time was because they told me that I was possibly going to fight Gane for the belt or fight Hokit,” Pereira said. “And then none of that happened. Coming from a loss, fighting Hokit would be much, much easier for me than fighting Pavlovich, who’s supposed to be a harder fight. Hokit would be a much easier fight for me.”

The context behind Pereira’s disappointment is significant. He lost his UFC heavyweight debut to Gane by technical knockout in an interim title bout at UFC Freedom 250. When Tom Aspinall subsequently relinquished the undisputed championship, a path back to the title appeared to open up, making the Pavlovich booking feel like a detour rather than a shortcut.

Despite his initial displeasure, Pereira said a direct conversation with UFC executive Hunter Campbell cleared the air. He now views the Pavlovich matchup in a more positive light, acknowledging the Russian heavyweight presents a genuine technical challenge.

“We got together [with Hunter Campbell], we talked, we straightened things out, so it was fine,” Pereira said. “Pavlovich is a little more dangerous opponent, but looking at it in a technical way today, I see that it’s actually also a very good fight for me.”

While Pereira prepares for Pavlovich in December, Hokit will challenge Gane for the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Depending on that result, the winner could set up a high-stakes collision with Pereira further down the line.