Pereira Mocks Gane's UFC Heavyweight Title Promotion

Alex Pereira mocked Ciryl Gane's expected promotion to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, posting a graphic on Instagram Wednesday that dismissed Gane's resume just days after Tom Aspinall vacated the title.

Aspinall announced this week that he's stepping away from the belt as he continues to deal with eye injuries suffered in his no contest against Gane at UFC 321 last October. That leaves Gane, who beat Pereira by TKO in the UFC Freedom 250 co-main event to claim interim gold, in line to be elevated to undisputed champion. The UFC has not yet made that promotion official.

Pereira didn't wait around to weigh in. He shared a post that ran through Gane's title-fight history, a loss to Francis Ngannou, a loss to Jon Jones, and a win over Alexander Volkov that plenty of fans still argue went the wrong way, alongside the TKO Gane scored over Pereira himself. Pereira captioned it "Champion" in what read as a straightforward jab at the idea that Gane deserves to be called the best heavyweight in the UFC without ever having won an undisputed title in a clean, non-contested fight.

Why Pereira Is Still Talking About the Gane Fight

Pereira has never accepted the result of his loss to Gane at face value. He's repeatedly claimed the finish was tainted by illegal shots to the back of his head, and he's kept most of his criticism aimed at referee Herb Dean for not stepping in, though Gane himself hasn't escaped the criticism either. Gane has not responded publicly to the latest post.

The timing matters. Pereira taking a shot at Gane's title legitimacy right as the belt is about to land in Gane's hands as undisputed champion keeps Pereira's name in the heavyweight conversation at a moment when the UFC has to decide what to do next. Pereira has reportedly met with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell about his next fight and came away encouraged, which suggests he still sees himself in the heavyweight title mix rather than fading into the background after the loss.

What's Next at Heavyweight

Gane's path forward isn't fully settled. The UFC could simply upgrade him to undisputed champion, or strip the interim belt and have him fight for the vacant title outright. Alexander Volkov and Josh Hokit have both been floated as potential opponents. Pereira, despite the lopsided nature of his loss at UFC Freedom 250, hasn't been ruled out of the picture either.

Betting Angle

There's no line on a Gane-Pereira rematch because there's no fight booked, but the framing matters for anyone tracking heavyweight futures. Gane enters his reign as champion with an unusual resume for the position, an interim title won by finish but no clean undisputed win over a top contender, and that history is exactly what oddsmakers and matchmakers will weigh in setting his first true title defense as favorite or underdog. If a Pereira rematch does get built, expect the number to open closer than the first fight given how public and personal Pereira has made his case that the finish shouldn't have stood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Ciryl Gane being promoted to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion?

Ciryl Gane is expected to be promoted from interim to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after Tom Aspinall vacated the title this week due to ongoing eye injuries.

What did Alex Pereira say about Ciryl Gane's title promotion?

Alex Pereira posted an Instagram graphic mocking Ciryl Gane's title résumé, listing his losses to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones and his contested win over Alexander Volkov, and captioned it "Champion."

How did Alex Pereira lose to Ciryl Gane?

Alex Pereira lost to Ciryl Gane by TKO in the co-main event of UFC Freedom 250, a result Pereira has since claimed was influenced by illegal shots to the back of his head.