Alex Pereira claims UFC used influencers to sell Gane vs. Hokit

Alex Pereira has accused the UFC of manufacturing support for the heavyweight title fight between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on Nov. 14, saying the promotion used high-engagement personalities to sell a matchup he did not believe fans had chosen.

Pereira says the promotion told him a poll had settled on Gane vs. Hokit, even though he had been pushing for a rematch with Gane himself. He claims the UFC leaned on figures such as Daniel Cormier to talk up the fight ahead of the announcement, describing the whole process as "kind of manipulated."

Gane, 36, is the top-ranked heavyweight and carries a 14-2-0 record. The Frenchman from MMA Factory stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach and fights from an orthodox stance. He lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, and averages 0.68 takedowns and 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

Pereira, 39, is ranked third at light heavyweight and holds a 13-4-0 record. The Brazilian from Teixeira MMA & Fitness is also six-foot-four, with a 79-inch reach. He lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy, a striking profile close to Gane's. Pereira next co-headlines UFC 335 against Sergei Pavlovich.

Cormier, 47, is a former two-division champion turned broadcaster, finishing his career at 22-3-0. His takedown average of 1.83 per 15 minutes reflects the wrestling base behind his fighting career. Pereira names him as one of the voices the promotion used to build interest in the fight.

Tom Aspinall remains sidelined with an eye injury, a situation that frames the heavyweight picture around the title bout.

Why it matters

• Pereira's comments question how the UFC builds and sells title fights, and whether fan polls drive matchmaking.
• His desire for a Gane rematch suggests he still sees unfinished business with the heavyweight contender.
• With Aspinall unavailable, the Gane vs. Hokit bout carries added weight for the heavyweight division.