Alex Pereira gives up UFC title; vacant title fight with former foe Jiri Prochazka announced for UFC 327

In a stunner on Friday night, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Alex Pereira would give up his UFC light heavyweight title for the chance to make history.

White recently shared the news of Pereira’s light heavyweight title break Instagram live stream.

As for what’s next for the UFC light heavyweight division, White shared that former titleholder Jiri Prochazka and rising contender Carlos Ulberg will now battle for the vacant light heavyweight title in the UFC 327 main event in Miami. Prochazka vs. Ulberg headlines April 11, with a co-main event for the flyweight title between new champion Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira.

This marks the first time the UFC light heavyweight division has not had Pereira in the title discussion in years. For Prochazka, it’s a chance for redemption after suffering two defeats to Pereira in the past, which reduced his chances of a second title reign.

As for Ulberg, the talented Australian could potentially cap off his remarkable run through the light heavyweight Top 15 with a championship victory. If he wins, he will become the second New Zealand-born champion in UFC history.

Alex Pereira leaves the LHW belt; Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg set

Pereira’s title break is the biggest seismic shift in the UFC landscape yet in 2026, and comes at a time when the UFC heavyweight division is in dire need of star power. Following the abrupt retirement of Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall’s uncertain future due to injury, Pereira will likely fight for a heavyweight title in his division debut.

Pereira claimed the UFC light heavyweight title when he knocked out Magomed Ankalaev in their UFC 320 rematch last year.

Aspinall’s first UFC heavyweight title defense ended disastrously when his fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 was ruled a no-contest after Aspinall was unable to continue due to an accidental eye poke in the first round. The heavyweight champion recently underwent further surgery on both of his eyes, and he has admitted his fighting future remains foggy.

Will Alex Pereira win a UFC heavyweight title? Let us know your predictions in the comments!