Alex Pereira reaffirms plans to regain UFC middleweight championship: "I just needed a break"

Alex Pereira recently reaffirmed plans to regain the UFC middleweight championship in the near future. He is currently the light heavyweight champion and is scheduled to make his third title defense against Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307 next Saturday.

'Poatan' hasn't competed at 185 pounds since last April, where he lost his middleweight championship following a knockout loss to his longtime rival Israel Adesanya. Since then, he moved up to 205 pounds and has achieved a great deal of success, especially considering he doesn't have to go through significant weight-cuts.

Although he achieved double-champ status, the Brazilian has hinted at returning to the division to challenge Dricus du Plessis in an attempt to regain the title.

While speaking to The Schmo, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion reaffirmed his aspirations of returning to 185 pounds and becoming a simultaneous two-division champion. Pereira mentioned that he needed to take a break from drastic weight cuts, but feels his body has recovered and is capable of competing at middleweight for more than just a one-off against du Plessis:

"I would like [a fight against du Plessis] to be at middleweight. I told everybody that I just needed a break from 185 [pounds], from all those weight cuts. I feel good, I feel healthy right now like everybody saw...I think I can do more fights [at middleweight]." [4:03 - 4:21]

Check out the full interview with Alex Pereira below:

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Alex Pereira expresses excitement for Dana White getting into boxing

In addition to discussing a potential return to middleweight, Alex Pereira also expressed his excitement for Dana White getting into boxing.

During the aforementioned conversation with The Schmo, Pereira mentioned that White getting involved is great for the sport and even expressed a desire in competing one day:

"I expressed my will to go boxing one day. I think that this partnership of the UFC going into boxing is a very thing going for the sport. Many boxers say MMA fighters cannot go toe-to-toe with boxing. [I] believe that not only [myself] but many other fighters could do that too." [6:57 - 7:16]

Check out Alex Pereira sparring a heavyweight boxer below: