Alex Pereira is making a serious run at becoming a three-weight UFC champion, but Joe Rogan just laid out exactly how tough that road is going to be. At UFC 335 on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pereira faces Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event, and Rogan is calling it for what it is: a brutal challenge.
Pereira’s Heavyweight Ambition Runs Into a ‘Gigantic Power’ Problem
Pereira, with his 13-4 MMA record and 10-3 UFC run, is jumping into his second heavyweight fight determined to snag a title in the division. He got finished by Ciryl Gane for the interim belt back at UFC Freedom 250 in June, but that hasn’t slowed him down one bit. Rogan highlighted Pereira’s absolute refusal to drop back to light heavyweight, saying, “‘Poatan’ again at heavyweight, he’s determined to try to win a title at heavyweight, and the man won’t go back to light heavyweight. He’s like, ‘I want another shot at Ciryl Gane.’” The problem is, he’s gotta get through Pavlovich first, and Rogan made it clear that’s a “tough task.” Why? Because Pavlovich (20-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) is no joke. Rogan described him as “a huge, huge heavyweight with gigantic power and fantastic boxing.” That’s the kind of combo that makes you wonder if Pereira’s ambition might be running a little too hot.
More Brawls and ‘Nuclear Power’ Coming to UFC 335
Beyond Pereira’s high-stakes gamble, UFC 335 is stacked with other incredible matchups that Rogan is seriously hyped for. In the headliner, Charles Oliveira (37-11 MMA, 25-11 UFC) puts his BMF title on the line against Diego Lopes (28-8 MMA, 7-3 UFC). Lopes is making his lightweight debut, fresh off a “spectacular knockout of Steve Garcia on the White House lawn.” Rogan’s take? “Him vs. Charles Oliveira should be a barnburner.”
Then there’s the third announced fight, a bout that even caught the broadcast team off guard: Joe Pyfer (16-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) against Bo Nickal (9-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC). Rogan loves it. “I like it, I like it a lot,” he said, calling it “a tough task.” Pyfer brings “nuclear power” to the cage, a “big guy” by Rogan’s account. And Nickal? Rogan praised him as a “spectacular talent,” also noting how good he looked at the White House lawn.
So, UFC 335 is shaping up to be absolutely wild. With Pereira chasing history against a monster, a BMF title on the line, and two heavy hitters surprising everyone, December 12 can’t get here fast enough. You just know these fights are going to deliver.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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