The UFC absolutely loves rematches.
The promotion’s preference for instant rematches is understandable even if it occasionally irritates fight fans. If a matchup will sell once, it’ll sell twice, right? If there’s even a bit of intrigue to still be squeezed from a high-profile pairing, UFC is likely to run it a second time.
Ask Cody Garbrandt.
There’s already some backlash to the proposed Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria 2 title clash, which may or may not be the next Lightweight title booking. That
bout, at least, was quite competitive, as Topuria nearly finished Gaethje with a body shot before Gaethje shut his eye and broke his face. Conversely, the other major rumored rematch was not so competitive, as Ciryl Gane was clearly picking apart Alex Pereira even prior to the second-round knockout (and subsequent back-of-the-head controversy).
“Poatan” says the rematch is happening anyway.
Fast-rising Heavyweight contender Josh Hokit is outraged by this proposal. “The Incredible Hok” went on social media to rage against another Gane vs. Pereira booking, arguing in a series of posts that he’s more deserving and Pereira remains winless as a UFC Heavyweight.
“As a fan, that fight makes no f—king sense,” Hokit wrote on X. “I watched you get demolished. How about a more favorable match up like Sergei who is basically a striker & way less athletic than Ciryl. How about you get one f—king win in this weight class before you are gifted another title shot.”
He continued in a later tweet, “ … [Alex Pereira] can’t beat me, Can’t beat Pavlovich, Can’t beat Blaydes, Kuniev, Waldo, or Volkov. Sure as hell can’t beat Ciryl … But, but he won at Middleweight & LHW… YAWN [middle finger emoji]. Pavlovich is a favorable match up for him from a technique stand point. lol He’d rather roll the dice on surviving the early rounds with Ciryl and betting he gets tired in the later rounds … Gay”
In conclusion, Hokit wants defeated stars like Pereira to “earn” their way back to UFC gold.
“Growing up, I loved the @ufc & all of its fighters. So it gives me great pleasure to use my platform today to speak the truth: neither Ilia Topuria nor Alex Pereira deserve a f—king title shot in their next fight. They both got handily destroyed. Make them earn it and fight their way back like everyone else. Sincerely, The Fans.“
Unfortunately for Hokit and his reasonable arguments, UFC is not a meritocracy. “Poatan” remains a huge name despite the knockout loss, and UFC wants to capitalize on his remaining star power before the 39-year-old Brazilian calls it quits or declines significantly. Pereira vs. Gane 2 could headline a numbered UFC event right now, whereas if Pereira were to lose to a Sergei Pavlovich or Josh Hokit?
Speaking of all this potential Heavyweight matchmaking … where’s Tom Aspinall again?
