Alex Pereira says UFC used ‘influencers’ like Daniel Cormier to push for Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit: ‘It was all kind of manipulated’
MMA Fighting • • sports
Key Points:
- Alex Pereira sought a rematch with Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight title after losing to him in June, but the UFC instead booked Gane against Josh Hokit for UFC 334 on November 14.
- Gane won the interim heavyweight belt by knocking out Pereira in the second round, while Hokit recently improved to 4-0 with a knockout over Derrick Lewis, setting up their fight for the undisputed title as Tom Aspinall remains injured.
- Pereira claimed the UFC used commentators and influencers, including Daniel Cormier, to promote the Gane vs. Hokit matchup and sway fan opinion, despite Pereira disagreeing with the decision.
- Although Pereira has a friendly relationship with Cormier, he criticized Cormier's support for the Gane-Hokit fight, questioning Hokit's credentials and suggesting the UFC manipulated public perception to justify the matchup.
