Pereira Says Big Boxing Paydays Do Not Tempt Him

October 23, 2026 · Business and Rankings

Alex Pereira has no complaints about his UFC paycheck, even with multi-million-dollar boxing purses on offer elsewhere. Asked by journalist Ariel Helwani whether he feels underpaid next to what TKO spends on boxers, Pereira said through a translator that he is content.

"I am happy," Pereira said. "No problem. Boxing, go box for like, make another 40 million or whatever, but for what?" Helwani then asked whether he is satisfied with his career earnings, and the former two-division UFC champion answered: "I think we have... we did a good plan and did a good work."

The UFC has faced criticism over its revenue split for a long time, and Sean Strickland most recently took his fight with the promotion over fighter pay to another level. Dana White's Zuffa Boxing venture is different. Boxer Shakur Stevenson, who recently left that organization, was reportedly offered $7 million to fight Jose Valenzuela and demanded a guarantee of $15 million per fight.

A contract that rules out boxing for now

Pereira signed a new eight-fight UFC deal in March, which eased his decision to vacate the light heavyweight title. The exact figures have not been made public. His heavyweight run began badly, with a second-round TKO loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250, and he now has seven fights left on the contract.

Boxing was once part of his plan. On the Connect Cast podcast in late 2025, Pereira said: "I am definitely going to box. It's not about aiming for more money. I like a challenge. I want to be the best." Asked about it again in London ahead of a Misfits Boxing event, he pointed to the contract. "Well, with seven fights left in my UFC contract, I'm 39; it's kind of impossible," he said through his translator.

For now he is focused on the cage. Pereira faces No. 3-ranked heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich in a five-round co-main event at UFC 335 on Dec. 12 at the T-Mobile Arena. A win could put him in line to face the winner of the UFC 334 title fight between Gane and Josh Hokit.

Source: MMA Sucka