Alex Pereira Says Boxing Move Is "Kind of Impossible" With Seven Fights Left on UFC Deal

Alex Pereira has poured cold water on his own boxing ambitions, admitting that a move to the ring is now "kind of impossible" because of the long-term UFC contract he signed earlier this year. Speaking to Fred Talks Fighting through his coach, the 39-year-old Brazilian said: "Well, we have seven fights left in his UFC contract at 39, it's kind of impossible." Pereira signed a new eight-fight deal in 2026, vacating the light heavyweight title to move up to heavyweight, where he was knocked out by Ciryl Gane in the second round at the White House in June. The admission marks a sharp reversal from last year, when Pereira said he was "definitely going to box" because he wanted to test himself in another ruleset. He now appears resigned to seeing out his MMA career, with a second heavyweight bout — against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 — expected later this year. Pereira has not lost his appetite for combat sports crossover entirely: his coach Plinio Cruz makes his Misfits boxing debut in London this weekend, with Pereira reversing their usual roles to corner him. But a professional boxing career for "Poatan" himself looks off the table until his UFC deal runs its course.