Phil De Fries, a teammate of heavyweight Tom Aspinall, stated that Alex Pereira turned down an opportunity to fight Aspinall. De Fries suggested that while Aspinall would be better than Ciryl Gane, the two present different stylistic challenges for Pereira. The post solicited opinions on which heavyweight would be a more difficult stylistic matchup for the light heavyweight champion. This claim adds context to ongoing discussions about potential super fights between Pereira and heavyweight contenders. No timeline or additional details about when this proposed matchup was discussed were provided in the post.
Phil De Fries, a training partner of UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, has claimed that light heavyweight king Alex Pereira turned down the chance to fight Aspinall — though the report remains unconfirmed and no timeline has been attached to the alleged refusal.
De Fries stopped short of outright criticizing Pereira, instead framing the situation around stylistic differences, suggesting that while Aspinall would present a tougher test than Ciryl Gane, the two heavyweights offer Pereira distinctly different problems to solve.
Aspinall, 33, holds a 15-3-0 record and stands as the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, currently ranked sixth pound-for-pound in the sport. The six-foot-five Englishman out of Team Kaobon is one of the most dangerous finishers in the division, posting a remarkable striking accuracy of 67 percent and landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute — numbers that place him among the most prolific and precise strikers in the heavyweight ranks. He also adds a meaningful wrestling threat, averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Gane, known as "Bon Gamin," carries a 14-2-0 record and sits ranked second in the heavyweight division. The 36-year-old Frenchman is six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach, and relies heavily on technical kickboxing, averaging 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, with a far more limited grappling output.
Pereira, "Poatan," is the reigning light heavyweight champion at 13-4-0. The 38-year-old Brazilian is six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and has built his UFC career almost entirely on striking, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy, while averaging just 0.11 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- An unbeaten Aspinall represents a significant physical and technical step up from any current light heavyweight opponent for Pereira
- Pereira's near-total reliance on striking could be tested by Aspinall's combination of elite finishing ability and active wrestling
- Any confirmed super-fight negotiation between a light heavyweight champion and the pound-for-pound top-ten heavyweight champion would carry enormous divisional and promotional weight
- The claim remains unverified, and no formal offer or negotiation has been publicly acknowledged by either fighter's camp
