Coach Says Pereira Wants More Than Chimaev

The jiu-jitsu coach breaks down why Pereira pursuing a historic third belt makes way more sense than Chimaev’s championship challenge

Khamzat Chimaev keeps campaigning for a fight against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, but his own coach admits he wouldn’t take that fight if he were Pereira. That’s not disrespect toward Chimaev. That’s just understanding how championship incentives actually work. Alan Finfou, Chimaev’s jiu-jitsu coach, explained the entire situation with brutal clarity: He is moving up a division chasing a second belt, which is great. But Pereira is positioned to do something nobody has ever done in UFC history win three belts in three different divisions. That’s not just different. That’s generational.

From Chimaev’s perspective, the math is simple: all wins

” If I look at the situation from Khamzat’s side, Khamzat vs. Pereira would be the fight that would sell the most, and Khamzat would be fighting for another belt,” Finfou said. “For Khamzat, it’s plus, plus, plus.” The undefeated middleweight champion (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) moving up to light heavyweight and potentially defeating the reigning champion would be a career-defining moment. He’d be the undisputed best across two weight classes. That’s championship credentials. That’s legacy. That’s exactly what Chimaev should be chasing.

But from Pereira’s perspective, defending against Chimaev is actually the downside move

 Here’s why: Pereira already holds the light heavyweight belt. He’s already won at middleweight and light heavyweight. Now he has a chance to become the first fighter in UFC history to win three belts in three different divisions by moving up to heavyweight. That’s not just a good story. That’s literally the greatest championship accomplishment possible in the sport. “If I were Pereira, I would never accept that fight,” Finfou explained. “Because let’s be honest: Khamzat would be the challenger. Pereira would have to defend.”

The strategic difference is enormous

For Chimaev, fighting Pereira is a step up a bigger name, a bigger belt, more credibility. For Pereira, fighting Chimaev is a step sideways defending a belt he already holds against someone chasing history. It’s not the same value proposition. Pereira has the opportunity to accomplish something that’s never been done before. Chimaev is chasing his second belt. Those are fundamentally different levels of historical significance.

Finfou’s logic is airtight: “If I were Pereira, I would say, ‘Khamzat, Caio, I have a bigger goal: I go for the third belt.’“ That’s not arrogance. That’s strategy. Pereira defending his light heavyweight belt against Chimaev doesn’t advance his legacy more than winning a third belt in a third division would. It’s simple hierarchy of achievement. The third belt is bigger than the light heavyweight defense.

What makes this conversation more interesting is that Pereira might get his opportunity whether Aspinall cooperates or not. The UFC heavyweight champion has been ruled out due to double eye surgery, which opens the possibility of an interim title fight. UFC analysts Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen are both suggesting Pereira and Ciryl Gane could compete for an interim belt. That path gives Pereira exactly what he wants: a chance at heavyweight without needing participation.

He keeps calling for the fight, Pereira keeps pursuing his bigger goal, and Chimaev’s own coach says he wouldn’t take Pereira’s fight either. That’s not a knock. That’s just understanding that some opportunities are bigger than others. Pereira isn’t disrespecting Chimaev by not fighting him. Pereira is respecting his own legacy by chasing something that’s never been accomplished before.

Sometimes the smartest championship move is saying no to the fight everyone wants and yes to the fight that makes history.