Two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira is set to make his heavyweight debut on June 14. He will face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship.
Pereira is aiming to become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in three different weight divisions. After relinquishing his light heavyweight title earlier this year, he has been gaining weight for his move up. Pereira admits that adding the extra mass has likely cost him some speed, but he maintains that he feels no different. In a recent statement, he said:
“I feel exactly the same. Obviously, it’s not possible to bulk up to a much higher weight class, get bigger, and not lose a little bit of speed. We’ll see in the fight. But I feel exactly the same. I’ve only added, not lost anything.”
Many in the mixed martial arts community consider this to be Pereira’s toughest fight to date. Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall recently suggested that Gane will defeat Pereira by decision, noting Gane’s size, agility, and fluidity in his movements.
Michael Bisping, after reviewing Pereira’s recent sparring footage, also pointed out that Ciryl Gane will likely have a significant speed advantage over “Poatan.”
“Ciryl Gane is going to have the speed advantage. He’s also going to be lighter on his feet.”
Furthermore, Gane will reportedly possess a two-inch reach advantage over Pereira on June 14. This is noted as the longest reach Pereira has ever faced in the UFC.