Alex Pereira has locked himself into another long-term commitment with the UFC, revealing he's signed a new eight-fight contract that has him so satisfied he's willing to let the promotion dictate his career path moving forward.

The Brazilian superstar, who will face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House in Washington D.C., made the announcement during an appearance on "The Ariel Helwani Show" on Monday. The 38-year-old former light heavyweight champion expressed nothing but gratitude for how the UFC handled his latest contract negotiations.

"They gave me a new contract," Pereira said through an interpreter. "I'm actually really, really happy with my new contract. I actually want to thank Mick [Maynard], Hunter [Campbell], and Dana White for it. So this new deal that they gave to me? I don't care about letting go of the belt or anything like that. They took really good care of me."

A Deal Too Good to Refuse

The financial terms of Pereira's new agreement remain undisclosed, but the former champion's enthusiasm suggests it represents a significant payday. His satisfaction with the deal was so complete that he's essentially given the UFC carte blanche to book him however they see fit.

"The way they gave me this last contract was so good that I let it up to them to do whatever they want. It doesn't matter," Pereira explained, demonstrating remarkable confidence in the promotion's decision-making regarding his career trajectory.

This marks the second eight-fight deal Pereira has signed with the UFC in just two years, indicating both his value to the organization and his commitment to remaining with the promotion for what could be the remainder of his fighting career. At 38 years old, an eight-fight contract could very well represent his final professional agreement in combat sports.

Vacating Gold for Greater Opportunities

Pereira's willingness to vacate his light heavyweight championship to pursue heavyweight gold speaks to both his ambition and his confidence in the UFC's contract offer. The Brazilian will relinquish the 205-pound title he reclaimed with a stunning knockout victory over Magomed Ankalaev in October 2025, setting up a vacant title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327 on April 11.

"It was a pretty easy choice when I expressed I wanted to go heavyweight," Pereira noted when discussing his decision to move up in weight. "Of course, I had to let go of the belt, but they gave me a new contract and I'm really, really happy with my new contract."

The move to heavyweight represents Pereira's bid to become the first fighter in UFC history to capture titles in three different weight divisions. Having already conquered both middleweight and light heavyweight, "Poatan" now sets his sights on the heavyweight division's interim crown against former title challenger Ciryl Gane.

Historic White House Setting

The UFC Freedom 250 card will make history as the first UFC event held at the White House, adding another layer of significance to Pereira's heavyweight debut. The Brazilian's co-main event clash with Gane promises to be one of the most watched fights of his career, taking place in the most prestigious venue the sport has ever seen.

Gane, who enters the bout with a 13-2 record and 10-1 UFC mark, represents a formidable challenge for Pereira's heavyweight aspirations. The French striker's technical prowess and heavyweight experience will test whether Pereira's devastating power can translate effectively to the division's highest level.

Contract Implications and Future Security

The eight-fight deal effectively locks Pereira into the UFC for the foreseeable future, eliminating any possibility of him exploring opportunities with rival promotions. Even if the Brazilian were to retire early, the contract structure would prevent him from competing elsewhere, whether for organizations like Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship or in potential superfights against fighters like Francis Ngannou outside the UFC umbrella.

This level of commitment from both sides demonstrates the mutual respect and business relationship that has developed between Pereira and UFC leadership. The promotion clearly views the Brazilian as a cornerstone talent worth investing in long-term, while Pereira has found a home where he feels valued and properly compensated.

Past Negotiation Tensions

The harmonious nature of these recent contract talks stands in stark contrast to Pereira's previous negotiation experience with the UFC. During discussions for his rematch with Ankalaev, the Brazilian publicly butted heads with the promotion, even going so far as to tweet about his retirement before claiming he had been hacked.

Pereira later admitted he was behind the retirement tweet and had not been hacked, highlighting the tension that existed during those negotiations. However, the fight ultimately materialized, and Pereira delivered a spectacular first-round knockout that reclaimed his light heavyweight title and likely strengthened his bargaining position for this latest contract.

Jon Jones Remains the Ultimate Goal

Despite his focus on Gane, Pereira hasn't abandoned his desire to face Jon Jones, who retired from active competition last year but has been in talks with the UFC about a potential comeback. The Brazilian believes a victory over Gane will position him perfectly for the superfight he's long desired.

"Not disappointed, but I expressed that it was a fight that I wanted. It's a fight that [Jon] wants," Pereira explained regarding the Jones matchup not materializing for the White House card. "I don't want to get too involved because that's between him and the organization. I believe it will happen when I win this fight."

Pereira's confidence in eventually securing the Jones fight stems from his belief that the UFC won't release the former champion anytime soon. "The UFC isn't going to release him anytime soon - so if he's going to fight, who else is it going to be? It's going to be against me," he reasoned.

A Star's Continued Rise

Pereira's journey from middleweight contender to potential three-division champion represents one of the most remarkable ascensions in recent UFC history. His knockout power, combined with his willingness to take on all challengers across multiple weight classes, has made him one of the promotion's most marketable and reliable stars.

The new eight-fight contract ensures that fans will continue to see Pereira compete at the highest level for years to come, while the financial security allows him to focus purely on his craft without the distraction of contract negotiations. For a fighter who has already achieved so much in a relatively short UFC career, the best may still be yet to come.

As Pereira prepares for his heavyweight debut at the historic White House venue, he does so with the peace of mind that comes from knowing his future is secure and his value is recognized by the sport's premier organization.