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Alex Pereira is eager to get back on the horse following his recent setback.

Pereira attempted to become a three-division champion when he fought Ciryl Gane in the UFC Freedom 250 co-headliner. The interim UFC heavyweight title was at stake, and “Poatan” relinquished the 205-pound gold in an effort to fight for the prize in a higher weight class. It didn’t work out for Pereira, who was stopped in the second stanza via TKO.

Despite the loss, Pereira is sticking around at heavyweight. During a fan Q&A prior to UFC Belgrade, the surefire future UFC Hall of Famer said he’s looking forward to his rebound fight (via MMAMania.com).

“Since I entered the organization, I always take one step at a time,” Pereira said. “My objective was to get to the belt, to become champion, and I was able to do that. Then I moved up a division. That was my idea, to become champion in another division. I went after the third belt. This time, this fight did not work out, but I have a lot of willpower and I am very excited for my next fight.”

When asked whether or not he prefers to wait for reigning champion Tom Aspinall and Gane to have their expected rematch, “Poatan” made it clear that he wants to return soon.

“I do not know what will happen, and I do not know how long that fight will take,” Pereira said. “For sure I want to fight before, and after that I want to fight for the belt.”

Pereira has been quite vocal about the officiating during his loss to Gane back in June. The former two-division titleholder has blamed Herb Dean for failing to warn “Bon Gamin” about illegal strikes to the back of the head. The Brazilian bruiser has even called for Dean to be fired as an official.

With Alex Pereira sticking around at heavyweight, who should he face next? Let us know your choice in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM