Overview
- Pereira, booked for the interim heavyweight title on June 14 at the UFC White House event against Ciryl Gane, said Friday he is heavy with “a bit of a belly” and promised a visible transformation as camp ramps up.
- The matchup carries a pathway to unification because undisputed champion Tom Aspinall is recovering from injuries, so the winner is positioned for a next bout to crown a sole champion.
- Yahoo Sports reported he is dealing with a hand injury that may require surgery, which could complicate training for his first fight at the UFC’s heaviest class.
- KSW champion Phil de Fries, a longtime Aspinall teammate, said the UFC offered Pereira a fight with Aspinall and claimed Pereira declined, while also estimating Pereira at about 250 pounds and favoring him over Gane in a striking fight.
- Former champion Francis Ngannou told TMZ that Gane’s footwork and long-range striking could make it hard for Pereira to close distance, highlighting the style test he faces in his move up.