Joe Rogan sees a new hurdle for Alex Pereira to overcome now that he is switching divisions for a second time.

"Poatan" enjoyed an unrivaled rise in the UFC, achieving two-division glory just two years into his stint on MMA's biggest stage after transitioning from kickboxing. Pereira will now face Ciryl Gane at the White House on June 14, a heavyweight fight that marks a historic attempt for the Brazilian fan favorite. He is trying to become the first-ever UFC triple champion, and the move up in weight is not without risks for the ex-light heavyweight and middleweight king.

Rogan Warns About the Weight Gain

In Gane, Pereira is facing a fellow striking specialist. With that, not many are expecting grappling to factor into the co-main event in Washington, D.C. But should "Poatan" have his hand raised, a unification fight with the well-rounded Tom Aspinall will await, where his defensive wrestling would likely be tested. That position is where Rogan believes Pereira could run into a new hurdle inside the Octagon, having added muscle during his bulk-up to prepare for a heavyweight venture.

"He's 250 pounds now, which is crazy," Rogan said on a recent episode of his JRE MMA Show. "That's almost 70 pounds different from his UFC debut."

The Grappling Problem

Rogan explained that while Pereira will not have to cut weight, adding muscle comes with its own set of challenges.

"The difference in MMA is with grappling. The difference is with weight," Rogan said. "If you get a big, heavy guy and he gets on top of you, all your speed is gone within the first three or four minutes."

The Stakes at Heavyweight

Aspinall underwent double eye surgery earlier this year as a result of Gane's pokes in their title fight last October, hence the creation of an interim belt for the upcoming White House event. The UFC has apparently assured Aspinall that a clash with his interim counterpart, whoever that may end up being, will await him upon his planned return later in 2026.

Pereira is attempting something no fighter has ever done: winning a third UFC title in a third weight class. But the added muscle needed to compete with heavyweights could come at a cost. Rogan believes that cost might be speed, and against a well-rounded heavyweight like Aspinall down the line, that could be the difference between history and disappointment.

Do not miss UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.