Phil De Fries, a teammate of Tom Aspinall, stated that Alex Pereira previously declined an opportunity to face Aspinall. De Fries believes stylistically different opponents present varying challenges for fighters. The post posed a question to fans about whether Aspinall or Ciryl Gane would be a more difficult stylistic matchup for Pereira. Details about when this alleged offer was made or the circumstances surrounding Pereira's decision were not provided in the brief statement.
Phil De Fries, a teammate of UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, has claimed that light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira previously turned down a fight with Aspinall — though no official confirmation of any such offer or refusal has emerged.
Aspinall, 33, holds the UFC heavyweight title and carries a 15-3-0 record fighting out of Team Kaobon in England. The six-foot-five, 198-centimeter-reach Englishman ranks sixth in the pound-for-pound standings and is one of the most statistically dominant strikers in the division, landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 67 percent. He also adds a consistent wrestling threat, averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Pereira, 38, is the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion out of Brazil with a 13-4-0 record. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, "Poatan" averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. His ground output is minimal, with just 0.11 takedowns and 0.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him almost exclusively a striking-based threat.
De Fries framed the claim around a broader stylistic discussion, questioning fans on social media about whether Aspinall or Ciryl Gane would pose a more difficult matchup for Pereira. Gane, ranked second in the heavyweight division at 14-2-0, is a six-foot-four Frenchman with an 81-inch reach who lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, offering a highly technical, movement-oriented style.
Why it matters
- A cross-divisional matchup between Aspinall and Pereira would be among the most high-profile bouts the UFC could make
- Aspinall's high-volume striking and takedown game present a stylistically distinct challenge from most of Pereira's previous opponents
- Gane's evasive, range-based approach offers an equally contrasting problem, making the stylistic debate a legitimate one
- No official talks, dates, or confirmations have been reported, and the claim originates from a teammate rather than either fighter's camp or the UFC
