No history for Alex Pereira, but another interim title for Ciryl Gane.
Gane finished Pereira in two rounds to become interim UFC heavyweight champion in the co-main event of UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.
Pereira seemed to have the upper hand when the two traded single shots early, which included a pair of high kicks. Gane picked things up later in the round with combinations, but Pereira took some momentum with a pair of solid jabs at the round’s end.
Seconds into the second round, Gane troubled Pereira, rocking him with a right hand and following up with a flurry. Pereira survived that, but Gane landed another string of solid shots, leading to a stoppage.
Ciryl Gane Becomes Interim Heavyweight Champion By Finishing Alex Pereira At UFC Freedom 250
Gane has held the interim heavyweight title previously, defeating Derrick Lewis at UFC 265. Gane has fought three times previously for the undisputed heavyweight title, losing to both Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. He then fought Tom Aspinall at UFC 321, pushing the pace but going to a no contest after an eye poke that injured Aspinall.
Pereira came into this fight off a finish of Magomed Ankalev at UFC 320, which allowed him to regain the UFC light heavyweight title. Pereira vacated that title to move up to heavyweight for this fight.