Alex Pereira is more than ready for his first heavyweight fight at UFC White House.
At Friday’s official weigh-ins for the historic event, Pereira stepped to the scale at 251 pounds, well above the 205- and 185-pound limit he previously competed at, and three pounds heavier than perennial heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane (248). Pereira can claim an interim title with a win over Gane and make himself the first fighter ever to win UFC titles in three divisions.
Headliners Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje
also successfully hit championship weight, both at 155 pounds. Topuria looks to unify his undisputed title with Gaethje’s interim title in Sunday’s main event.
The other heavyweight bout of the evening featured an even bigger weight discrepancy as veteran Derrick Lewis tipped the scales near the limit at 265 pounds, 34 pounds heavier than the undefeated Josh Hokit.
All 14 fighters competing at UFC White House successfully made weight, including former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (135.5), who takes on Aiemann Zahabi (135) in a potential No. 1 contender bout.
The official weigh-ins ended strangely with Diego Lopes making a second appearance at the scale after already successfully making the featherweight limit for his opening bout against Steve Garcia. Lopes was announced as being a potential replacement fighter for the UFC White House main event and came in at 154 pounds.
Main Card (Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET)
Ilia Topuria (155) vs. Justin Gaethje (155)
Alex Pereira (251) vs. Ciryl Gane (248)
Sean O’Malley (135.5) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (135)
Josh Hokit (231) vs. Derrick Lewis (265)
Mauricio Ruffy (155) vs. Michael Chandler (156)
Bo Nickal (186) vs. Kyle Daukaus (186)
Diego Lopes (146) vs. Steve Garcia (146)
