Henry Cejudo believes Alex Pereira has grown accustomed to receiving preferential treatment from the UFC, and the former two-division champion has delivered a blunt assessment of his fellow former two-division champion’s recent complaints.
Pereira’s defeat to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House has sparked a series of disputes, with the Brazilian questioning the officiating and criticizing the promotion’s decision to book Gane against Josh Hokit for the heavyweight title.
Cejudo, however, thinks Pereira needs to accept the outcome and work his way back into contention rather than expecting another immediate opportunity.
Speaking on his podcast with Kamaru Usman, “Triple C” suggested Pereira had benefited from the UFC’s willingness to fast-track him through the rankings.
This is something that I will say about Alex Pereira and it’s part of him being a bit spoiled,” Cejudo said. “Alex, I’m not picking on you, I’m just seeing what’s been done with you and how it’s been that you’ve skipped lines. You’ve skipped the line long enough bro.
Henry Cejudo Says Alex Pereira Must Earn Another Title Shot
The former two-division UFC champion acknowledged that “Poatan” had a legitimate complaint about illegal blows during his fight with Gane, but argued that the Brazilian also struggled with the Frenchman’s striking.
Pereira was competing at heavyweight for the first time and received an opportunity to fight for the interim title at the White House.
You had your opportunity against Ciryl Gane and you lost,” Cejudo continued. “There were illegal blows, I agree with you on that, but man, that jab from Ciryl Gane wobbled you. Ciryl Gane was just keeping on his feet and we saw where the fight was likely going. It’s your first debut at heavyweight, man. It is what it is. To be upset, after not having a fight at heavyweight and then getting a shot to fight for the interim title at the White House? Bro, there’s no complaining here. I feel like he needs to win at least two or three more to fight for the title. I think there’s a lot of people in line.
Pereira joined the UFC in 2021 and quickly established himself as a dangerous contender, earning a middleweight title shot after victories over Andreas Michailidis, Bruno Silva, and Sean Strickland. He defeated Israel Adesanya to capture the belt in 2022 before losing it in their rematch.
“Poatan” subsequently moved to light heavyweight, defeated Jan Blachowicz, and claimed the vacant championship against Jiri Prochazka. He went on to defend the title against Jamahal Hill, Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree before losing to Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira then won their rematch before moving up to heavyweight for his clash with Gane.
