Pereira accuses Gane of illegal strikes during their UFC fight
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 6:59 AM
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
At the UFC's White House event, Alex Pereira claimed that Ciryl Gane landed illegal strikes which contributed to his defeat in the interim heavyweight title fight on June 16. Gane stopped Pereira in the second round after dropping him with a jab, following which Gane delivered downward elbows and punches, some of which Pereira argued struck the back of his head. Pereira expressed frustration over illegal shots he believed he warned referee Herb Dean about prior to the bout. Dean defended his officiating by explaining the rules regarding strikes to the head. Tom Aspinall remarked on the legality of Gane's strikes, drawing from their own previous encounter.
- •Pereira lost to Gane by TKO in the second round.
- •Pereira alleges that illegal strikes affected his ability to recover.
- •Referee Herb Dean defended his officiating regarding head strikes.
- •Pereira shared images showing injuries on his head post-fight.
- •Tom Aspinall commented on Gane's striking history after their own match.
- 8:30 AMYahoo Sports — Pereira fumes over 'illegal shots' after Gane's interim UFC heavyweight title win
- 6:59 AMYahoo Sports — Pereira accuses Gane of illegal strikes in defeat
- 6:58 AMBBC Sport — Pereira accuses Gane of illegal strikes in defeat
"Mixed martial arts star Alex Pereira of Brazil has accused Frenchman Cyril Gane of landing multiple “illegal shots” during their fight for the interim UFC heavyweight title at the White House. Gane finished off Pereira in the second round to win the title on Sunday after sending him stumbling with a right jab followed by a hammer fist. After hitting Pereira with a jab, Gane launched a brutal floor sequence that included elbows to the back of the head.
"Alex Pereira says Ciryl Gane landed a number of "illegal shots" which contributed to his defeat at the UFC's White House event.
"Alex Pereira says Ciryl Gane landed a number of "illegal shots" which contributed to his defeat at the UFC's White House event.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 8:30 AMPereira fumes over 'illegal shots' after Gane's interim UFC heavyweight title win
Mixed martial arts star Alex Pereira of Brazil has accused Frenchman Cyril Gane of landing multiple “illegal shots” during their fight for the interim UFC heavyweight title at the White House. Gane finished off Pereira in the second round to win the title on Sunday after sending him stumbling with a right jab followed by a hammer fist. After hitting Pereira with a jab, Gane launched a brutal floor sequence that included elbows to the back of the head.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 6:59 AMPereira accuses Gane of illegal strikes in defeat
Alex Pereira says Ciryl Gane landed a number of "illegal shots" which contributed to his defeat at the UFC's White House event.
- BBC SportJun 17, 2026, 6:58 AMPereira accuses Gane of illegal strikes in defeat
Alex Pereira says Ciryl Gane landed a number of "illegal shots" which contributed to his defeat at the UFC's White House event.
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