This is the UFC White House live blog for Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane, the interim heavyweight championship co-main event Sunday at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Pereira (13-3) is currently No. 3 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings and he can make a case to move up the all-time great list if he defeats Gane to become the first UFC fighter ever to claim titles in three divisions. “Poatan” was previously champion at 185 pounds and 205 pounds. He defeated past kickboxing rival Israel Adesanya
to earn the middleweight belt, and then added the light heavyweight belt to his collection by defeating Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295, kicking off a run of three successful title defenses in just seven months. After avenging a loss to Magomed Ankalaev to become light heavyweight champion a second time, Pereira now looks to pull off a feat that would put him in a league of his own.
Standing in Pereira’s way is Gane (13-2, 1 NC), hungry to carve out his own space in the record books. The French big man is a former interim champion and has twice challenged for true heavyweight gold, but has twice been denied. His most recent title challenge this past August at UFC 321 ended in disaster when, after a strong start, Gane accidentally poked undisputed champion Tom Aspinall in the eyes, resulting in the bout being ruled a no-contest due to Aspinall being unable to continue. Aspinall has been on the mend since, leaving an opportunity for Gane and Pereira to lock down a fight with Aspinall when he is able to fight again.
Check out the UFC White House live blog for Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane below.
