Pereira plans to stay at light heavyweight after UFC 307

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira isn't looking to change divisions anytime soon.

Pereira is scheduled to defend his title for the third time against Khalil Rountree Jr. in the UFC 307 main event Saturday in Salt Lake City. After that fight, Pereira said he'll remain focused on his 205-pound reign rather than a move to middleweight or heavyweight.

"I would actually choose to defend my belt," Pereira said through an interpreter Wednesday at UFC 307 media day, courtesy of MMA Fighting. "For me to go in a lower weight class, it would take some time, needs some more preparation. For me to go to a higher weight class, it also takes some more preparation. So right now, the way that it is at light heavyweight is perfect."

Pereira, who previously held the middleweight title from 2022-23, recently expressed interest in a final fight at 185 pounds against current champ Dricus Du Plessis.

However, the Brazilian isn't short on potential challengers at 205 pounds. No. 2-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev will likely be in line for a title shot if he beats Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 on Oct. 26. There are a handful of light heavyweights on the rise as well, including Carlos Ulberg, who gets the toughest test of his career against Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Macau in November.

Pereira, 37, has defended his belt twice this year - with knockouts of former champs Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka - and is all but guaranteed to lock up Fighter of the Year honors with a win over Rountree.