Phil De Fries, a training partner of Tom Aspinall, stated that Alex Pereira previously turned down an opportunity to face Aspinall. De Fries suggested that while he believes Aspinall is better than Ciryl Gane, the matchup would have been stylistically favorable for Tom. The post included a poll asking which fighter would be a tougher stylistic opponent for Pereira. No further details were provided about when this alleged offer occurred or under what circumstances Pereira declined.
Phil De Fries, a training partner of UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, has claimed that light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira previously turned down a fight against Aspinall — though no official confirmation of the report has emerged.
De Fries made the claim on social media, suggesting Pereira declined an opportunity to face the Englishman at some point, without specifying when the alleged offer was made or the circumstances surrounding it. He also posted a poll asking fans which fighter would present a tougher stylistic challenge for Pereira: Aspinall or Ciryl Gane. De Fries indicated he believes Aspinall is the better fighter compared to Gane, but acknowledged the matchup would have suited Tom stylistically.
Aspinall, 33, holds the UFC heavyweight title with a record of 15-3-0 and sits sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Team Kaobon product out of England stands six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach and lands an exceptional 7.63 significant strikes per minute at 67 percent accuracy, among the highest output numbers in the division. He also averages 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a genuine two-way threat.
Pereira, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion from Brazil carrying 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, with a grappling game that is largely non-existent by the numbers — just 0.11 takedowns and 0.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Gane, ranked second in the heavyweight division at 14-2-0, is a six-foot-four Frenchman with an 81-inch reach. "Bon Gamin" lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy and brings a more movement-based striking style to the cage.
Why it matters
- Aspinall has long been linked to a potential super-fight with Pereira across divisional lines
- The unverified claim raises questions about whether negotiations between the camps have already taken place
- A stylistic comparison between Gane and Aspinall as Pereira opponents speaks to broader heavyweight and cross-divisional title picture intrigue
- Because the report is unconfirmed, the full context of any alleged offer or refusal remains unclear
