Former two-division champion wants immediate title shot; Aspinall's delayed return boosts chances

Alex Pereira (left) takes a punch from Ciryl Gane in the corner during their co-main event bout at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in June. [Getty Images]
Alex Pereira (left) takes a punch from Ciryl Gane in the corner during their co-main event bout at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in June. [Getty Images]

Former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira (39, Brazil) has said he wants a rematch with Ciryl Gane following their controversial first meeting, and plans to jump straight back into heavyweight title contention without an interim bout.

Pereira addressed speculation about his next opponent in a recent social media video. "A lot of people are talking about who I'll fight next, and I've been seeing all the opinions," he said. "The one that makes the most sense is a fight with Ciryl Gane. I'm going to work to make that happen. I think that's actually what's going to happen."

Pereira and Gane met in the co-main event of UFC Freedom 250, a one-off special event held at the White House in June. Fighting in his heavyweight debut, Pereira was stopped by second-round KO in what was billed as an interim heavyweight title bout, falling short of what would have been a historic third divisional championship.

Josh Hooker had initially been floated as Pereira's next opponent. Hooker repeatedly called out Pereira after the loss to Gane, demanding a fight. Pereira, however, made clear that Gane is the only opponent he is interested in.

His goal is a swift rematch and a third championship belt. "There was an illegal strike in the last fight," Pereira said. "If I get another chance, I think I can show what I'm capable of. I'm really looking forward to that third belt, and I'm going to work for it."

Pereira has maintained that Gane landed multiple illegal strikes to the back of his head late in the fight while referee Herb Dean allowed the action to continue without intervention. In Pereira's view, had Dean stopped the bout and taken appropriate action against Gane's fouls, the outcome could have been different.

Gane, who has been waiting for a unification bout against undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, has also signaled openness to the rematch — particularly as Aspinall's return appears increasingly uncertain.

Aspinall stopped his defense against Gane at UFC 321 last October after suffering repeated eye-gouging fouls, and the bout was ruled a no contest. A rematch had been expected as early as the second half of this year, but Aspinall's manager Eddie Hearn recently said concerns about Aspinall's eye condition remain and that further medical evaluation is needed. For Gane, who holds the interim title, waiting indefinitely for Aspinall risks leaving him on the sidelines for too long.

UFC has every reason to keep Pereira — whose box-office pull trails only Conor McGregor's — active and in high-profile bouts, particularly when a title is on the line. A prolonged absence by Aspinall only strengthens the case further. The logic for matching Pereira against Gane rather than Hooker appears sound.


yjc@heraldcorp.com