Phil De Fries, a teammate of Tom Aspinall, stated that Alex Pereira previously turned down the opportunity to fight Aspinall. De Fries believes Aspinall is better than Francis Ngannou and that stylistically, different opponents present varying challenges. He suggested the matchup would have been excellent for Aspinall. The post includes a poll asking which fighter would be a more difficult stylistic matchup for Pereira. No additional context was provided about when this offer allegedly occurred or the circumstances surrounding it.
Phil De Fries, a teammate and training partner of UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, has claimed that light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira previously turned down a fight with Aspinall. De Fries made the assertion publicly, though no details were offered about when the offer was made or the circumstances involved. The claim has not been officially confirmed by Pereira's camp or the UFC.
Aspinall, 33, holds the UFC heavyweight title and carries a 15-3 record. The Team Kaobon product out of England stands six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach and ranks sixth on the pound-for-pound list. He is one of the most statistically active strikers in the division, landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute at 67 percent accuracy, while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes — a combination that makes him a credible threat across all phases.
Pereira, nicknamed Poatan, is the reigning light heavyweight champion with a 13-4 record. The 38-year-old Brazilian 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 underlines his identity as a striking-based competitor.
De Fries also stated his belief that Aspinall surpasses Francis Ngannou in quality. Ngannou, 38, carries an 18-3 record and a measured reach of 83 inches, representing one of the most physically imposing profiles in heavyweight history.
Why it matters
- A cross-divisional matchup between two reigning champions would carry significant promotional weight
- Pereira's near-zero takedown and submission output could represent a structural vulnerability against Aspinall's well-rounded attack
- If the claim is accurate, it raises questions about which opponents Pereira is willing to engage at this stage of his career
- De Fries's comments, unverified as they are, add public pressure to a matchup that has been discussed in heavyweight and light heavyweight circles
