Alex Pereira will earn a guaranteed $10 million for his fight against Ciryl Gane, making it the largest guaranteed purse in UFC history. Josh Hookit, whose future with the organization had been the subject of speculation, has signed a new eight-fight contract with the UFC. A legal challenge by Vietnam veterans and US civic organizations seeking to block the White House lawn event was dismissed by a court.
Alex Pereira will bank a guaranteed $10 million when he steps into the cage against Ciryl Gane, a figure that represents the largest guaranteed purse in UFC history. The blockbuster payday for the light heavyweight champion headlined a busy news cycle that also confirmed an eight-fight contract extension for Josh Hookit, whose organizational future had been uncertain.
Pereira, 38, enters the contest as the reigning light heavyweight champion with a 13-4 record. The Brazilian out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the sport's most dangerous strikers, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a 62 percent accuracy rate. The Orthodox standout has been among the most active and lucrative draws on the UFC roster.
Gane, the French contender ranked second in the heavyweight division, brings a 14-2 record into the fight. The 36-year-old from MMA Factory is one of the most technically refined strikers in the heavyweight ranks, averaging 5.29 significant strikes per minute with an exceptional 61 percent accuracy. At six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach, "Bon Gamin" also mixes in takedowns at a rate of 0.68 per 15 minutes, giving him a versatile toolkit to deploy.
Why it matters
- Pereira's $10 million guaranteed purse sets a new financial benchmark for UFC fighters and underscores his box-office drawing power.
- A cross-divisional matchup pitting the light heavyweight champion against a top heavyweight contender raises significant stakes and title implications.
- Both fighters are long, orthodox strikers with nearly identical heights and high-volume outputs, setting up a technically compelling stand-up battle.
- Hookit's eight-fight deal removes uncertainty around his future and signals the UFC's commitment to retaining the athlete long-term.
A separate legal challenge filed by Vietnam veterans and US civic organizations seeking to block a White House lawn event tied to the card was dismissed by a court, clearing one potential obstacle from the fight's path to completion.
