Pereira rules out boxing move at 39, eyes history with seven UFC fights left

Alex Pereira has shut down talk of a future boxing career, telling reporters the move is “kind of impossible” at 39 years old with seven fights still remaining on his UFC contract.

The former light heavyweight and middleweight champion made the comments ahead of a Misfits Boxing event this Saturday, where his longtime coach Plinio Cruz is competing. Asked whether he could ever step into the boxing ring — even after his UFC run concludes — Pereira was blunt.

“Well, we have seven fights left on [my] UFC contract,” Pereira said, with Cruz translating. “I’m 39, it’s kind of impossible. But [I’m] happy to be here with [Plinio].”

When pressed on whether a rapid run through those remaining bouts could open the door, Pereira showed little interest. “No, [I’m] fine,” he said.

The Brazilian’s immediate focus is firmly on reclaiming championship gold at heavyweight. Pereira is set to face Sergei Pavlovich in the five-round co-main event of UFC 335 in December, his second fight in the heavyweight division. A win would put him in prime position for another title shot and a shot at becoming a three-division UFC champion.

That pursuit suffered a setback at UFC White House in June, when Pereira was stopped in the second round by Ciryl Gane in an interim heavyweight title bout. Pereira has been vocal in blaming referee Herb Dean for the outcome, arguing that shots landed to the back of his head went unchecked before the stoppage — a grievance he has repeated in multiple interviews since.

Despite that defeat, the path back to the top appears short. A convincing performance against Pavlovich in December would likely restore Pereira’s status as one of the division’s leading contenders and keep his record-chasing ambitions very much alive.