Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane have arrived for the UFC White House press conference ahead of their co-main event clash. The card airs live on Sunday, June 14 at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane touched down at the UFC White House press conference on Friday, June 13, ahead of their co-main event showdown scheduled for Sunday, June 14, airing live at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
Pereira, nicknamed "Poatan," enters the fight as the reigning light heavyweight champion, moving up a division to take on one of the heavyweights division's elite. The 38-year-old Brazilian carries a 13-4 record and trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, he lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a 62 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the most precise and dangerous strikers in the sport regardless of weight class.
Gane, known as "Bon Gamin," is ranked second in the heavyweight division and brings a 14-2 record into the contest. The 36-year-old Frenchman, who trains out of MMA Factory, matches Pereira's six-foot-four frame but holds a notable edge in reach at 81 inches, or 206 centimeters. He posts an impressive 5.29 significant strikes per minute with 61 percent accuracy, showing he is no less dangerous on the feet.
Why it matters
- Pereira is stepping up to heavyweight, adding a rare cross-divisional dimension to the matchup
- Gane sits at number two in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance could push him firmly back into title contention
- Both fighters are orthodox strikers of near-identical height and comparable output, setting up a technically fascinating stand-up chess match
- The co-main event slot on a high-profile card gives both men a massive platform heading into the second half of 2026
Sunday, June 14, 2026
