Alex Pereira Seeks 1st Gane Rematch, Eyes September Return After 60-Day Suspension

Q: Will the UFC grant Pereira an immediate rematch, or is Ciryl Gane's shot at the undisputed title secure?

Ciryl Gane’s shot at the undisputed heavyweight title appears more secure than an immediate rematch for Alex Pereira. The clearest signal is that Gane won the interim belt and, by standard UFC practice, that usually leads to a unification bout with the undisputed champion. Reporting around the event says Gane’s “reward” is a fight with Tom Aspinall, and Gane himself has already pushed for that matchup, potentially in Paris in September. Dana White has not formally locked it in, but there is no indication the UFC has moved away from that plan. Pereira has made a forceful case for a rematch, arguing the stoppage sequence included illegal blows to the back of the head and that referee Herb Dean failed to intervene. He says he raised concerns about Gane’s fouling history before the fight and has since asked the UFC to run it back immediately. Pereira also said the promotion asked for time before giving him an answer, which suggests the request is under review but not approved. Unless a commission review changes the official result or the UFC decides the controversy is commercially too big to ignore, Pereira faces a difficult path to jumping ahead of Aspinall. The stronger evidence right now points to Gane moving on to unify the title, while Pereira’s rematch push remains unresolved and, at this stage, unlikely to take priority.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Junkie · Jun 18

Alex Pereira said he has already asked the UFC for an immediate rematch with Ciryl Gane and wants to stay at heavyweight after Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 loss.
The 38-year-old still plans to appeal the second-round TKO, saying he absorbed several illegal shots to the back of the head during the finishing sequence.
A 60-day suspension rules out an immediate comeback, but Pereira said September is a realistic target once he can complete a full training camp.
The rematch push extends Pereira’s criticism of the stoppage and officiating after the White House lawn event, where Gane beat him in an interim heavyweight title fight.