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Pereira accuses Gane of illegal strikes during their UFC fight

5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 7:00 AM

Last updated Jun 18, 2026

Pereira accuses Gane of illegal strikes during their UFC fight
Summary

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.

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Status Watch
  • •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.
Latest Updates
  • 7:00 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Gassing’ Gane Saved By Illegal Shots
  • 12:02 PMThe Guardian Sport — Alex Pereira blasts Ciryl Gane for ‘illegal shots’ during White House UFC fight
  • 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
What they're saying
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Brazilian star said he took blows to the back of the head Pereira calls on Dana White to remove referee Herb Dean Mixed martial arts star Alex Pereira of Brazil has accused Frenchman Ciryl 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. The referee then stopped the fight 1min 27sec into the round after a left to the chin. Continue reading...

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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.

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Alex Pereira is rather upset about his UFC White House knockout loss to Ciryl Gane (highlights here). Pereira’s attempt at a third divisional title never really got rolling. Gane was quicker to find his range off the bat, landing a steady stream of jabs and low kicks, as well as starting to line up his […]

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