Phil De Fries, a teammate of Tom Aspinall, has stated that Alex Pereira previously turned down an opportunity to face Aspinall. De Fries believes Aspinall is better than Ciryl Gane and that stylistically different opponents suit each fighter differently. He emphasized that a matchup between Aspinall and Pereira would be an excellent fight for Tom. The post asks followers to vote on who would be a more stylistically difficult opponent for Pereira: Aspinall or Gane. No details were provided about when the alleged offer was made or the context of Pereira's decision.
Phil De Fries, a teammate of UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall at Team Kaobon, has claimed that light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira previously passed on a fight with Aspinall — though no official confirmation of any such offer or refusal has emerged.
De Fries made the comments publicly, suggesting that a matchup between Aspinall and Pereira would be a strong fight for the heavyweight titleholder. He also expressed his belief that Aspinall is a more dangerous opponent than Ciryl Gane, while acknowledging that different styles pose different challenges for Pereira.
Aspinall, 33, holds a 15-3 record and currently sits sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The six-foot-five Englishman carries a 78-inch reach and is one of the most prolific strikers in the heavyweight division, landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 67 percent accuracy. He also averages 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, adding a dangerous grappling dimension to his game.
Pereira, nicknamed Poatan, is the reigning light heavyweight champion at 38 years old with a 13-4 record. The six-foot-four Brazilian carries a 79-inch reach and lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. His takedown and submission averages are minimal, reflecting a style built almost entirely around striking.
Gane, ranked second in the heavyweight division at 36 years old, holds a 14-2 record. The Frenchman stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach — the longest of the three — and lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Aspinall holds the UFC heavyweight title and ranks sixth pound-for-pound, making any cross-division discussion carry real weight
- Pereira moving up to heavyweight, even temporarily, would be a landmark event
- The claim is unconfirmed, with no details on when or how any offer was allegedly made or declined
- De Fries framing Aspinall as a tougher stylistic test than Gane adds another layer to an already active divisional conversation
