Alex Pereira Vacates Light Heavyweight Title

Two-weight UFC champion Alex Pereira has vacated his light heavyweight title, as he will move up to the heavyweight division, seeking to become the first three-division champion in UFC history.

The news comes after Pereira reclaimed the belt with a first-round knockout over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 last October to avenge the loss in the first fight. With the title now vacant, the UFC has ordered Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant title at UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami, while flyweight champion Joshua Van faces Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event.

Pereira’s move up to heavyweight comes at a critical time in the division. Jon Jones retired last June and vacated his heavyweight belt, then reversed the retirement with a view to fighting on the UFC White House card. However, his future is uncertain as Dana White said the chances of him fighting on the card are a ‘billion to one,” while Jones admitted that he has arthritis in his left hip, casting doubts over whether he will fight again.

Meanwhile, the UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall underwent surgery on both eyes after suffering from significant traumatic bilateral Brown’s syndrome, an eye condition that hampers vision. This came after a double accidental eye poke from Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 last October, as Aspinall could not continue after the first round, resulting in a no-contest. Tom’s current timeline for a return is uncertain.

This card is VIOLENT! 🤯

The #UFC327 card is LOCKED IN for Miami!

[ LIVE SAT APR 11 on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/gPcAkCyzJ2

— UFC (@ufc) February 28, 2026