Ciryl Gane defeated Alex Pereira by TKO at the 1:27 mark of Round 2 at UFC Freedom 250. The bout headlined the UFC White House event.
Ciryl Gane claimed a stunning victory over light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250, stopping "Poatan" by TKO at the 1:27 mark of the second round in a bout that headlined the UFC White House event on June 15, 2026.
Gane, known as "Bon Gamin," entered the fight ranked second in the heavyweight division with a record of 14 wins and 2 losses. The 36-year-old Frenchman, who trains out of MMA Factory, stands six-foot-four with an extraordinary 81-inch reach and has built his reputation on a combination of elite movement and sharp offense. He lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at a 61 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the most technically refined strikers in the sport's heavier divisions.
Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, came in at 13-4-0 and carried the weight of a fighter who has consistently delivered highlight-reel finishes throughout his UFC tenure. The 38-year-old Brazilian, who represents Teixeira MMA and Fitness, also stands six-foot-four and connects at a 62 percent striking accuracy rate with 5.16 significant strikes per minute. Despite his knockout power and championship pedigree, he was unable to survive the second round against a Gane who moved up in weight or crossed divisional lines for this marquee matchup.
Why it matters
- Gane's finish of a reigning champion immediately reshapes the landscape at both heavyweight and light heavyweight
- The result raises urgent questions about Pereira's championship status and who steps up as the next challenger
- A style matchup between two elite Orthodox strikers of identical height produced an earlier-than-expected finish, underscoring Gane's power at the higher weight
- At 36, Gane has now defeated one of the most decorated champions in recent UFC history, strengthening any future title claims he may pursue
