Alex Pereira feels manipulated!! One of the biggest names and greatest fighters the UFC has ever seen recently spoke out against the UFC and Daniel Cormier feeling manipulated and confused Pereria is booked for a fight with Sergei Pavlovich and on the lead up was told to say the Josh Hokit vs Ciryl Gane fight makes sense so the public could get behind the UFC booking the fight. he also mentioned Daniel Cormier would not have seen him as the champion had he defeated Ciryl Gane Who's side are you on?
Alex Pereira says he felt manipulated by the UFC and analyst Daniel Cormier in the build-up to his booking against Sergei Pavlovich, claiming he was told to publicly back the promotion's decision to book Josh Hokit against Ciryl Gane.
According to Pereira, he was asked to say that Hokit vs. Gane made sense so the public would get behind the matchup. He also claimed Cormier would not have viewed him as a champion had he beaten Gane. Pereira described himself as confused and manipulated by the situation.
Pereira, 39, is 13-4 and ranked third at light heavyweight. The Brazilian is one of the sport's most feared strikers, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. He trains out of Teixeira MMA & Fitness and fights from an orthodox stance, standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach.
Pavlovich, 34, is ranked third at heavyweight with a 20-3 record. The Russian from Eagles MMA is a southpaw with an 84-inch reach, among the longest in the division. His striking accuracy sits at 44 percent, with 4.43 significant strikes landed per minute.
Gane, 36, is the top-ranked heavyweight at 14-2. The Frenchman from MMA Factory stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach and lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy. He also averages 0.68 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.6 submission attempts, showing a more well-rounded game than many of his striking-first peers.
Why it matters
- Pereira's claims put a spotlight on how the UFC shapes public opinion around its matchmaking.
- His remarks about Cormier add a media-relations angle to a booking story already involving two heavyweight contenders.
- The Pereira vs. Pavlovich fight pairs a light heavyweight striker with a top-three heavyweight, a notable crossover matchup.
The UFC has not been reported to have responded to Pereira's comments.
Alex Pereira vs Sergei Pavlovich
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