Phil de Fries, a teammate and friend of Tom Aspinall, stated that Alex Pereira previously turned down an opportunity to face Aspinall. The post notes that while the author believes Aspinall is better than Ciryl Gane, the stylistic matchup differences make each opponent unique for Pereira. The post posed a question to followers asking which heavyweight would represent a more difficult stylistic challenge for Pereira. No specific timeline or details about when Pereira allegedly declined the fight were provided in the original statement.
Phil de Fries, a teammate and close associate of UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, has claimed that light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira previously passed on a fight with Aspinall — though no official confirmation of that assertion has emerged and the story remains unverified.
Aspinall, 33, holds the UFC heavyweight title and carries a 15-3 record out of Team Kaobon in England. Standing six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach, the orthodox striker is one of the most dangerous finishers in the division and currently sits sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings. His output is striking: he lands 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a 67 percent accuracy rate, and he adds 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat in any matchup.
Pereira, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion from Brazil, carrying a 13-4 record under the Teixeira MMA and Fitness banner. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, "Poatan" has built his reputation primarily on his striking, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. His grappling activity is minimal, averaging just 0.11 takedowns per 15 minutes.
De Fries also referenced Ciryl Gane in the post, using the French heavyweight as a stylistic comparison. Gane, ranked second in the heavyweight division at 14-2, is six-foot-four with an exceptional 81-inch reach and lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy. The post framed both Aspinall and Gane as distinct stylistic problems for Pereira, inviting followers to weigh in on which heavyweight would pose the greater challenge.
Why it matters
- If accurate, the claim suggests a potential heavyweight super-fight has already been discussed and declined at some level
- Aspinall's combination of elite striking volume and takedown threat would present a different puzzle than most opponents Pereira has faced
- Gane's footwork-based, rangey style offers its own contrasting challenges, keeping the divisional picture unsettled
- No timeline or formal negotiation details have been confirmed, and the report should be treated as unverified
