Alex Pereira is already plotting a quick return even before stepping into the cage for his interim heavyweight title showdown with Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250.
Pereira meets Gane in the co-main event on Sunday, with the bout taking place at the White House in Washington DC. The winner is expected to move on to a unification bout with UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who has not yet been cleared for sparring after double eye surgery.
Looking ahead, Pereira questioned whether Aspinall will be ready in time. "I don't think that Tom's going to be ready," Pereira said. "I don't think he's even training. He's recovering from surgery and then training, and I'm a guy that I want to get ready, I want to fight somebody as soon as possible."
Pereira made it clear his priority is staying active. "I want to get another fight as soon as possible. I want to make sure I finish the year. Again, I'm 38 years old. I ain't got time to lose, so I need to fight."
The Brazilian has already vacated his light heavyweight belt and is seeking to become the first fighter in UFC history to win a version of a belt in three different weight divisions after previously losing, then regaining, the 205-pound title from Magomed Ankalaev with a quick TKO in October.
