Chael Sonnen believes the UFC’s long-term strategy for Alex Pereira might not be at light heavyweight—but in the heavyweight division. On his latest episode of Beyond the Fight, Sonnen speculated that Pereira’s real move could be a jump up to face interim champ Tom Aspinall.
“We’ve seen Pereira do it before,” Sonnen said, referencing Pereira’s rapid rise at middleweight. “He landed one strike on Sean Strickland, cut one promo, and walked out with a title shot. Pereira has that skill.”
Sonnen suggested that if Pereira loses to Magomed Ankalaev in his upcoming fight, the UFC might see a move to heavyweight as a compelling next step.
“The best way to get Pereira to heavyweight is not by having him beat Ankalaev and ‘clean out’ a division—because there’s no such thing as long as a guy is still standing,” Sonnen explained. “The best way to move him up is to have him lose.”
This shift could be part of the UFC’s broader strategy, especially as uncertainty lingers over Jon Jones’ future and the next heavyweight title fight. With Aspinall lacking a clear next opponent, a blockbuster showdown with Pereira could be a unique and marketable option.
“If they ever did that fight, it wouldn’t be for the interim belt,” Sonnen said. “It would be for the undisputed heavyweight title.”
While Pereira’s heavyweight move remains speculation, Sonnen suggests it’s a storyline the UFC could soon start telling—especially if Pereira picks up a microphone and plays his cards right.
