Ray Longo: Alex Pereira Too Small for Heavyweight
Ray Longo says Alex Pereira may be too small for heavyweight ahead of his UFC 335 fight with Sergei Pavlovich.
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Veteran coach Ray Longo believes Alex Pereira's size disadvantage, not just the illegal strikes that ended his title bid, is the real reason he lost to Ciryl Gane at UFC White House, and he isn't sure "Poatan" can survive another run at heavyweight gold.
Longo made his case on the Anik & Florian Podcast, breaking down Pereira's June loss to Gane, who stopped Pereira in the second round of their co-main event to keep the undisputed heavyweight title. Pereira was going for a shot at becoming the UFC's first ever three-division champion. Longo said the finishing sequence included illegal shots, but argued Pereira was already losing the fight on the feet before that point.
"I saw nothing before that that lets me believe that he could beat him in a rematch," Longo said. "I just saw the size difference, the way he was moving." He compared Pereira's low-hands, come-and-get-it style to lightweight Bobby Green, warning that habit becomes far riskier against heavyweight power. "Can he take the power coming back is the problem," Longo said, noting Pereira even invites contact in sparring. "These guys, I think, might be too big."
What's Next for Pereira at UFC 335
Alex Pereira now moves on to face Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 on Dec. 12, another heavyweight known for one-shot knockout power. Pavlovich is ranked No. 5 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings and has long been part of the heavyweight title conversation. Longo called the matchup a tough one for the same reasons the Gane fight was difficult, pointing out that Pereira's trademark trade-first approach doesn't leave much margin for error against a heavyweight who can end things in one punch. Longo noted Pereira was reportedly dropped by a jab against Gane, not even a full power shot, which he says speaks to the gap in sheer size and force at 265 pounds compared to the 185-pound middleweight class where Pereira made his name.
A win over Pavlovich would keep Pereira in the heavyweight mix and could set up another title opportunity down the line. A loss would mark back-to-back defeats at heavyweight and likely reignite debate over whether Pereira should stay in that division at all.
Betting Angle
Matchups between a two-division champion moving up and a true heavyweight puncher like Pavlovich tend to draw public money on the bigger name, but Longo's read lines up with how oddsmakers typically frame these size mismatches: once Pereira absorbs clean heavyweight power, his own low-guard, forward-walking style turns into a liability rather than an asset. Bettors weighing this fight should watch how the line moves as fight week approaches, since Pereira's star power often keeps him from opening as a true live underdog even when the stylistic matchup says he should be. Anyone leaning toward Pavlovich by knockout should note that's the exact finish Longo is predicting is live in this fight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Ray Longo think Alex Pereira is too small for heavyweight?
Ray Longo pointed to the size and power gap Alex Pereira faced against Ciryl Gane, arguing that Pereira's low-hands, trade-heavy style leaves him too exposed to heavyweight punching power.
Who is Alex Pereira fighting next?
Alex Pereira faces Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 on Dec. 12, 2025.
How did Alex Pereira lose to Ciryl Gane?
Alex Pereira lost to Ciryl Gane via strikes in the second round of their UFC White House co-main event in June, a fight that was for the undisputed heavyweight title.
