TOM ASPINALL is very much willing to welcome Alex Pereira to heavyweight.
Fan favourite Pereira has been mulling over a move up to the UFC‘s 265lbs division for the best part of a year.
The Brazilian bruiser has aspirations of becoming the first TRIPLE CHAMP in UFC history.
And the demand for the 38-year-old to move up in weight was reignited after his brutal regaining of the light-heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev earlier this month.
Pereira has the frame and power to be a serious player at heavyweight, and the prospect of locking horns with dangerous power puncher ‘Poatan’ is something which greatly intrigues defending champion Aspinall.
In an exclusive interview with SunSport, the Wigan warrior said: “Absolutely [I’d welcome to him heavyweight.]
“You can ask anybody, mate, who has ever been involved in my career, the UFC brass or anybody.
“I don’t say no to fights. If I say no to fights, in my opinion, I’m in the wrong sport. I’m here to fight people and that’s it.
“A lot of MMA fighters get it twisted and start going the wrong direction.
“[They] start going the celebrity route and doing all this other stuff.
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How to watch UFC 321
The UFC makes its annual visit to Abu Dhabi on October 25 for yet another blockbuster pay-per-view card.
UFC 321 will take place at the state-of-the-art Etihad Arena, which has been the promotion’s home in the UAE since January 2021.
Topping the bill is the eagerly anticipated Octagon return of heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who has been on the sidelines for the last 14 MONTHS.
The 32-year-old will make his first defence of the 265lbs title, which he was awarded following Jon Jones’ retirement, against long-time rival Ciryl Gane.
UFC gold will also be on the line in the co-main event of the evening, which will see Brazilians Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba vie for the vacant strawweight title.
UFC 321 is jam-packed with entertaining fights from top to bottom.
And MMA fans in the UK and Ireland can watch all the action from the Etihad LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office.
The UFC’s 11th pay-per-view card of the year will be available to purchase for a mere £19.99.
UFC 321 will also be available to buy on Discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Virgin Media TV and Sky Sports.
And fight fans don’t need to subscribe to TNT Sports to buy the star-studded event.
Watch UFC 321: Aspinall v Gane exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 7pm on Saturday, 25th October.
For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice
“I’m here to fight people and that’s what I wanna do. That’s what I enjoy doing, that’s what I’ve spent my life doing.
“And until I stop enjoying it, that’s how I’ll be spending my days. Training to fight people and eventually fighting them. And that’s it.”
Pereira’s incredible handiwork, which saw him become the fastest two-weight world champion in history, has well and truly impressed Aspinall.
He said: “I’m a big fan of Alex’s. I’m a big fan of everybody who fights.
“Do you know what I mean? Especially guys like Alex, Jon [Jones] etc, etc.
“In years to come, when I’ve retired, looking back and thinking, ‘I’ve fought those guys’, that would be nice.”
I’m a big fan of Alex’s.
Tom Aspinall on potentially fighting Alex Pereira
Before Aspinall can think about sharing the cage with Pereira, he has the small matter of his maiden title defence.
The 32-year-old will defend his 265lbs crown on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi against Ciryl Gane.
Watch UFC 321: Aspinall v Gane exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 7pm on Saturday, 25th October.