Phil de Fries, a training partner of Tom Aspinall, has stated that Alex Pereira previously turned down an opportunity to face Tom Aspinall. De Fries believes that Aspinall would be a better matchup than Francis Ngannou for Pereira from a stylistic perspective. The post discusses which opponent would present more stylistic challenges for Pereira. While the claim about Pereira declining the fight is presented, specific details about when this alleged offer occurred or the circumstances are not provided in the original post.
Phil de Fries, a training partner of reigning UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, has claimed that light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira previously turned down a fight against Aspinall — though the report remains unconfirmed and key details surrounding the alleged offer are absent.
De Fries also argued that Aspinall would present a more demanding stylistic test for Pereira than Francis Ngannou would. The specific timing and circumstances of the supposed declined offer have not been provided.
Aspinall, 33, holds the UFC heavyweight title and carries a 15-3-0 professional record. The Team Kaobon product out of England stands six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the division's most dangerous finishers. He ranks sixth on the pound-for-pound list and posts a striking accuracy of 67 percent alongside 7.63 significant strikes landed per minute — figures that place him among the most offensively productive heavyweights in the promotion. He also averages 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, adding a meaningful grappling dimension to his game.
Pereira, nicknamed Poatan, is the current UFC light heavyweight champion and holds a 13-4-0 record. The 38-year-old Brazilian trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, stands six-foot-four, and carries a 79-inch reach — fractionally longer than Aspinall's. He lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy, with a near-absent takedown and submission rate that underscores his commitment to stand-up combat.
Ngannou, 38, carries an 18-3-0 record and ranks 12th on the pound-for-pound list. The Cameroonian's six-foot-four frame comes with an 83-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Any cross-divisional clash between two reigning UFC champions would carry significant promotional weight
- Aspinall's high-volume striking and active grappling could represent a different threat profile than Ngannou's power-based style
- The report is unverified and lacks detail on when or how any offer was made, meaning its credibility remains unclear
