‘He will come in my way’

That has left the door open for former champion, Jiri Prochazka, to compete for the 205lb title again, and he will take on Carlos Ulberg for the vacant strap at UFC 327.

Despite ‘Poatan’s’ imminent move up to the heavyweight division, Prochazka believes their rivalry is not over yet, and they will meet again.

Who wins in the UFC 327 main event?

Does Jiri Prochazka become two-time champion or is it Carlos Ulberg’s time as Pereira drops the belt?

Prochazka says Pereira vacating his title was the ‘gentleman’s thing to do’

Although ‘The Last Samurai’ is benefitting from the Brazilian moving up to the heavyweight division, there is a part of him that wanted a trilogy fight against Pereira.

However, although the 38-year-old is on the verge of moving up to his third weight class, Prochazka believes their paths will cross again.

“I’m not surprised (he vacated the title),” Prochazka told The Ariel Helwani Show.

“I’m not surprised, I think it’s the gentleman’s thing to do when you go up and he wants to go up, it’s normal to release the title.

“Yeah (I was disappointed) that’s the thing I hoped for (a trilogy fight against Pereira). Possible opponents for me were Ulberg or Pereira, I wanted just one of these two for a title fight because I don’t think other fighters deserve it.

“I believe sooner or later, Alex Pereira will come in my way.”

At this point, the Czech fighter has suffered two losses to Pereira, both coming by way of brutal knockout.

Since then, though, Prochazka has bounced back with two extremely impressive wins over Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.

Who will Alex Pereira fight in his heavyweight debut?

Although Prochazka is adamant that Pereira will step back onto his path in the near future, that will likely depend on how the Brazilian’s move up to heavyweight goes.

The former middleweight and light heavyweight champion is currently in talks with the UFC for a clash against Jon Jones at the UFC White House event.

The pair of UFC star’s have been campaigning for the fight since Pereira reclaimed his 205lbs title against Magomed Ankalaev.