Pereira expects UFC rematch with Gane to happen

Alex Pereira (left) was stopped in two rounds by Ciryl Gane at UFC White House

• Published37 minutes ago

Alex Pereira has insisted he wants to fight Ciryl Gane next after being knocked out by the Frenchman in their interim heavyweight UFC title fight last June.

Pereira, 39, was stopped by Gane in his bid to become the first three-weight champion in the UFC.

Speaking on social media, Pereira said that after a period of rest, he expected to get a rematch with the 36-year-old.

"I'm seeing many opinions but I think the fight that makes sense is Ciryl Gane," he said.

"That's the fight. I'm going to work on that and from what I'm seeing, it's something that's going to happen.

"How the last fight [ended], there were illegal shots. I think now with another opportunity I can come back and show what I can do, what I can achieve, which is the third belt.

"I'm very excited for that and I'll work for that."

Gane should fight UFC champion Tom Aspinall in what would be an undisputed contest next, but the Briton is still recovering from eye injuries sustained in his own fight against Gane almost a year ago.

Aspinall's return date is unknown but he has been cleared to return to training and insisted he has no plans to leave the UFC or retire.

Should Aspinall be forced to sit out the rest of 2026, Gane may well take another bout in his absence.

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Pereira was unhappy with Gane's tactics in their fight, suggesting several of his heaviest blows were illegal strikes to the back of his head, something his opponent denied.

Gane is in his second spell as interim heavyweight champion and has twice been beaten in fights for the full title.

Brazil's Pereira has been UFC champion at middleweight and light-heavyweight and achieved that feat in just seven fights, the fastest run to two-division champion status in UFC history.

MVP removed from UFC rankings

Michael Page debuted for the UFC in 2024

Michael 'Venom' Page has been removed from the UFC rankings after fighting out his contract at UFC Paris on Saturday.

The Briton's lacklustre decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev was booed by fans inside Accor Arena, with Page landing just 12 significant strikes through three rounds.

Page said he hoped to reach a new deal with the UFC but American journalist John Morgan, external confirmed media were instructed to remove him from their ranking considerations, an indicator he is not renewing with the MMA promotion.

The 39-year-old holds a 5-1 record in the UFC, but has failed to produce the eye-catching knockout performances he is known for.

Posting on his Instagram on Monday, Page gave little away about his immediate future.

"Thank you Paris for having me. I'm grateful for the support you gave me," he said.

"Stepping in the cage is a privilege I do not take for granted and I look forward to bigger challenges."

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