Alex Pereira is set to return on December 12 at UFC 335 in Las Vegas, with a 5-round heavyweight co-main event against Sergei Pavlovich now on the schedule. It is a fight that carries real weight for Pereira, because a win would move him back toward another title shot after he vacated a title earlier this year.
Pereira’s place in the heavyweight picture was already under scrutiny after his June defeat to Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, a loss that came via TKO in the second round. There was controversy around that fight too, with illegal blows and criticism of Herb Dean part of the wider discussion. Now, after previously holding championships in two weight classes, Pereira has a direct chance to reset the conversation.
Why this fight matters
The key point is simple: Pereira needs to beat Sergei Pavlovich to put himself back in line for another title opportunity. He has made clear he wants the chance, with the former champion saying, “Put me in.”
That is the appeal of this matchup for UFC 335. It is not just about a return to action, but about whether Pereira can prove he still belongs in the division’s championship conversation after giving up his belt earlier this year.
Pavlovich is a dangerous opponent for that kind of test. He has already shown how quickly a heavyweight fight can turn, including his knockout of Tallison Teixeira earlier this year in 39 seconds. He also has previous big-fight experience, having fought Tom Aspinall for the interim title in 2023, when he lost in the first round.
What UFC 335 means for the division
For Pereira, this is the kind of fight that can shape the next stage of his career. He has already won titles in two divisions, but the decision to vacate his previous belt earlier this year raised the stakes around every heavyweight move that followed.
For the division, it is a straightforward but significant matchup. If Pereira wins in Las Vegas on December 12, he can make a serious case for another title shot. If he loses, the path back becomes much harder.
Either way, UFC 335 now has a bout that could help define the next direction of the heavyweight picture.
