Alex Pereira, a prominent figure in the UFC, has publicly accused the promotion and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier of manipulating public opinion to generate support for a heavyweight clash between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit. Pereira voiced his concerns during an interview with Laerte Viana, suggesting that the UFC actively worked to shape the narrative around the matchup.
According to Pereira, the UFC utilized influential figures, including Daniel Cormier, to promote the Gane versus Hokit fight before its official announcement. He claimed the strategy was to make the public receptive to the bout, thereby presenting it as a fan-driven decision rather than a promotional choice. Pereira recounted that the UFC informed him they had conducted a poll indicating fan preference for Gane against Hokit. However, Pereira stated he never saw such a poll and believes the process was manipulated.
Pereira also recalled a past conversation with Cormier that left him questioning the former champion's perspective on his heavyweight title aspirations. Pereira stated that when he asked Cormier if he would be considered a champion if he defeated Gane, Cormier responded, "Well, I don't think so; you have to win". Pereira interpreted this and similar comments from other figures as an attempt to influence public perception.
Pereira's Recent Heavyweight Journey and Future
The accusation from Alex Pereira comes after a significant period in his career, marked by a move to the heavyweight division. Pereira, who holds a UFC record of 10-3-0, last competed in June 2026 at UFC Freedom 250, where he faced Ciryl Gane. In that bout, Pereira lost to Gane by KO/TKO via punches in the second round at one minute and twenty-seven seconds. Despite the loss, the pre-fight market had Pereira at a fifty-one percent chance to win. At the time of that fight, Pereira was thirty-eight years old, standing six feet, four inches tall with a seventy-nine-inch reach, fighting from an Orthodox stance.
Following his loss to Gane, Pereira was reportedly expecting a rematch, especially after vacating his Light Heavyweight title earlier in the year to pursue a third divisional championship. Currently, Alex Pereira is ranked as the Men's Pound-for-Pound #10 fighter and the #3 contender in the Light Heavyweight division. His next scheduled UFC fight is against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335: Oliveira vs. Lopes, set for December 12, 2026, in the Heavyweight division. Meanwhile, Ciryl Gane is slated to defend his title against Josh Hokit at UFC 334.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Pereira | 10-3-0 | Light Heavyweight #3 |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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