Phil de Fries, training partner of Tom Aspinall, stated that Alex Pereira previously turned down the opportunity to face Aspinall. De Fries indicated that while he believes Aspinall would be a better matchup for Pereira than Francis Ngannou, the stylistic challenges differ significantly between the two opponents. The post questions which heavyweight would present a more difficult stylistic challenge for Pereira. Details about when Pereira allegedly declined the fight or the circumstances surrounding the situation were not provided. The claim adds context to ongoing discussions about Pereira's potential heavyweight ambitions.
A claim from within Tom Aspinall's camp has added fresh fuel to speculation about a potential heavyweight crossover involving light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, though the allegation remains unconfirmed.
Phil de Fries, a training partner of Aspinall at Team Kaobon, stated that Pereira previously turned down the chance to fight the English heavyweight. De Fries also suggested that while he believes Aspinall would represent a tougher stylistic test for Pereira than Francis Ngannou, the two opponents pose meaningfully different challenges. No details were offered about when Pereira allegedly declined or under what circumstances.
Tom Aspinall, 33, holds the UFC heavyweight title and carries a record of 15-3-0. Standing six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach, the orthodox striker is among the most dangerous in the division, ranking sixth in the pound-for-pound standings. His numbers are striking — he lands 7.63 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 67 percent, while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a credible threat across all areas of the cage.
Alex "Poatan" Pereira, 38, reigns as the light heavyweight champion out of Brazil with a record of 13-4-0. He stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. His grappling output is minimal, averaging just 0.11 takedowns per 15 minutes, which would represent a notable vulnerability against a wrestler-striker of Aspinall's caliber.
Why it matters
- Pereira has long been linked to heavyweight ambitions, making the alleged refusal a notable data point in that ongoing conversation
- Aspinall's combination of elite striking volume and active grappling would present a distinctly different puzzle than a pure striker like Ngannou
- Any potential crossover fight would carry championship implications in a heavyweight division already lacking clarity at the top
