Pereira accuses Gane of unlawful blows at UFC Freedom 250

Alex Pereira launched a press release Tuesday accusing Ciryl Gane of touchdown unlawful blows to the again of his head — and discrediting referee Herb Dean for not stopping them.

Pereira, 38, tried to change into the primary fighter in UFC historical past to win titles in three totally different weight lessons at UFC Freedom 250. The Brazilian fighter suffered a TKO loss within the second spherical of his interim heavyweight title struggle after Gane dropped him with a jab and adopted with a collection of unanswered elbows and punches.

In a video launched on social media, Pereira characterised a few of these photographs as unlawful and questioned why Dean didn’t intervene.

“I believe if it weren’t for these punches, I would not be in that state of affairs,” Pereira stated in Portuguese. “When the jab landed, I fell and grabbed his legs. Throwing elbows and punches, the man was determined. He landed a punch that he could not even consider, after which he needed to finish the struggle it doesn’t matter what. The ref was there watching. … The man sees it is an unlawful hit, however he is there considering, ‘Bro, how can I cease this struggle?’

“Man, it is the laws. It is within the rulebook. You are unsuitable if you happen to do not cease [the illegal strikes]. That is within the guidelines. What makes me extra upset is that I warned him beforehand. However the man would not have the heart. He is not an actual man.”

Tom Aspinall, the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight champion, additionally pointed to unlawful strikes throughout a dwell response to the competition posted to YouTube.

“They give the impression of being a bit unlawful,” Aspinall stated. “They give the impression of being very unlawful. What’s going on?”

Gane, of France, obtained some criticism for unlawful elbows to the again of the pinnacle in a TKO win in opposition to Junior Dos Santos in 2020. He additionally was flagged for an unintentional eye-poke throughout a title struggle in opposition to Aspinall in October, which resulted in a no-contest when Aspinall was unable to proceed. Aspinall has nonetheless not obtained medical clearance to renew coaching and underwent eye surgical procedure earlier this 12 months.

Pereira has not commented on whether or not he’ll keep at heavyweight or return to the sunshine heavyweight division the place he received titles in 2023 and 2025.