Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is backing Alex Pereira to secure a knockout victory in his highly anticipated heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane. Dos Santos shared his perspective during a recent interview with Ariel Helwani.
Dos Santos himself is set to compete this weekend on a Most Valuable Promotions card, facing Robelis Despaigne. While his focus is on his own fight, he offered a clear prediction for Pereira’s upcoming challenge.
Pereira’s Heavyweight Debut is a ‘Great Fight’ for Him, Says Dos Santos
The bout between Pereira and Gane is slated to be the co-main event at UFC Freedom 250. Pereira, who has vacated his light heavyweight title, is aiming to make history as the first three-division UFC champion. He brings an impressive record of 13 wins, 10 by knockout, into this fight, fresh off a dominant first-round stoppage of Magomed Ankalaev.
Gane, with a record of 13 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest, is known for his speed and technical striking. However, Dos Santos believes that Pereira’s style is perfectly suited to exploit any weaknesses Gane might possess.
“I think he’s gonna do very well, actually, especially in this debut against Gane,” Dos Santos told Helwani. “I think it’s a great fight for him because of his style. At some point, he’s gonna knock Gane out in his heavyweight debut.”
Dos Santos elaborated that he sees no better stylistic matchup for Pereira’s inaugural bout in the heavyweight division. While acknowledging Gane’s speed and skill, he highlighted Pereira’s forward pressure, angle cutting, and devastating power as key factors.
Pereira’s career trajectory has seen him conquer both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, and this move to heavyweight is seen as a significant step. Gane, meanwhile, is looking to establish himself further after a previous interim title run. The winner of this bout is positioned to face the reigning heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, upon his return from injury.
Dos Santos’ prediction carries weight, especially given his own past encounter with Gane, which ended early due to an eye poke. While not holding a grudge, he remains confident in Pereira’s ability to find the knockout.
This event is part of UFC’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
English Translation:
Junior dos Santos Backs Alex Pereira to Stop Ciryl Gane: “He’s Gonna Knock Gane Out”
Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is picking Alex Pereira to knock out Ciryl Gane in the Brazilian’s heavyweight debut. The former UFC heavyweight champion shared his view during a recent interview with Ariel Helwani.
Dos Santos faces Robelis Despaigne this weekend on the Most Valuable Promotions card streaming live on Netflix from Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Despaigne took bronze in taekwondo at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a 5-2 MMA record. Dos Santos carries a 21-10 pro mark, including nine UFC wins during his title run from 2011 to 2012.
Former UFC Heavyweight Champ Sees Knockout in Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Debut: “It’s a Great Fight for Him”
The prediction targets the co-main event at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House South Lawn in Washington, D.C. Ilia Topuria faces Justin Gaethje in the lightweight title unification main event.
Pereira vacated his light heavyweight belt to chase interim heavyweight gold against Gane, aiming to become the first three-division UFC champion. Pereira enters at 13-3 with 10 knockouts, fresh off a first-round stoppage of Magomed Ankalaev. Gane stands 13-2 with one no-contest, including six knockouts.
Dos Santos sees a style edge for Pereira. He told Helwani: “I think he’s gonna do very well, actually, especially in this debut against Gane. I think it’s a great fight for him because of his style. At some point, he’s gonna knock Gane out in his heavyweight debut.” Dos Santos added that no better matchup exists for Pereira’s first heavyweight test. Gane brings speed and skill, but lacks one-punch power while Pereira presses forward, cuts angles, and lands heavy shots.
Pereira started in UFC middleweight, won gold there, then claimed light heavyweight twice before the move up. Gane eyes a second interim title after his prior run behind Francis Ngannou. Heavyweight king Tom Aspinall sits out with an eye injury; the winner here gets next at unification.
Dos Santos knows Gane from their own 2020 clash that ended early via eye poke. He carries no grudge but spots Pereira’s path to victory clear. The White House card marks UFC’s tie-in to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.