Phil de Fries, a teammate of Tom Aspinall, has claimed that Alex Pereira previously turned down an opportunity to fight Aspinall. De Fries stated that while he believes Tom is better than Ciryl Gane, different opponents present different stylistic challenges. He suggested that a fight between Aspinall and Pereira would be excellent for Tom. The post asks fans to weigh in on which heavyweight would be a more difficult stylistic matchup for Pereira. The claim adds an interesting dimension to discussions about potential super fights involving the light heavyweight champion moving up in weight.
Phil de Fries, a teammate of UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, has claimed that light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira previously turned down a fight with Aspinall — though the claim has not been officially confirmed.
De Fries made the assertion publicly, adding that while he believes Aspinall is a better fighter than Ciryl Gane, different opponents pose different stylistic problems. He suggested a matchup between Aspinall and Pereira would be a particularly good one for the heavyweight champion.
Aspinall, 33, holds a 15-3-0 record and currently sits sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The six-foot-five Englishman out of Team Kaobon is one of the most dangerous finishers in the division, landing an exceptional 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a 67 percent accuracy rate, while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Pereira, nicknamed Poatan, is 38 years old and carries a 13-4-0 record at light heavyweight. The Brazilian champion stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. A potential move up to heavyweight would put him against opponents operating in an entirely different weight class.
Gane, ranked second in the heavyweight division at 36 years old, holds a 14-2-0 record and trains out of MMA Factory in France. The six-foot-four Frenchman carries an 81-inch reach and lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute, offering a fluid, technical striking style.
Why it matters
- Pereira reportedly declining the fight raises questions about the appetite for a cross-divisional super fight at heavyweight
- Aspinall, ranked sixth pound-for-pound, has a strong case as one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport regardless of division
- The stylistic contrast between Aspinall and Pereira — a relentless finisher versus a knockout artist — makes the rumoured matchup a compelling one in theory
- De Fries framing Aspinall versus Pereira as stylistically distinct from Aspinall versus Gane adds nuance to how Aspinall's team views potential opponents
