Ciryl Gane Rematch Scuttled in Favor of Sergei Pavlovich

Alex Pereira has revealed his frustration at missing out on a potential rematch against Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight championship.

The former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion was one victory away from becoming the first three-weight titleholder in the promotion's history after his divisional debut, but Gane had other plans when they met at UFC Freedom 250.

Pereira was initially informed by the UFC that a rematch against Gane or a bout with Josh Hokit could be on the horizon, only to have those plans scrapped for a December showdown with Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 334.

The change in opponent has left Pereira questioning the decision-making process of the UFC, which he believes is not transparent.

The UFC's decision to have Josh Hokit face Ciryl Gane at UFC 334 has raised questions about the promotion's transparency in matchmaking. Pereira had been hoping for a fight against Hokit, but was instead given a title shot against Pavlovich.

A fight against Hokit would be seen as an easier matchup for Pereira, who believes it would be less of a challenge than facing Pavlovich. This is not about bad blood between the two fighters, but rather a pragmatic assessment of their respective skills and abilities.

Hokit's inclusion in the title picture has left Pereira questioning whether he will ever get another chance to fight for the heavyweight belt. With his options seemingly limited, there have been whispers that he might consider returning to the 205-pound division, where he previously won a championship.

Pereira has decided to give heavyweight another go, but the change in opponent has left him feeling uncertain about his chances of success.

Pereira's decision to return to heavyweight has left him feeling uncertain about his chances of success in the division.

The change in opponent from Ciryl Gane to Sergei Pavlovich is a significant one, and Pereira is aware that he may face stiff competition at this stage of his career.

Pavlovich recently fought Tallison Teixeira, who was training with Pereira for his bout against Gane. Teixeira's loss to Pavlovich has given Pereira pause for thought.

Pereira has made it clear that capturing heavyweight gold remains his top priority, but he is also mindful of the need to stay competitive and avoid becoming a stepping stone for younger fighters.

Pereira has been focusing on enjoying his time outside of competition, but he's not letting it distract him from his goals within the sport. He's mentioned that he and his team have a well-planned strategy for his career, including his kids' future and the institute he's built.

Despite criticism following his recent knockout loss at heavyweight, Pereira remains confident in his abilities. Some have raised concerns about his chin holding up to the demands of fighting at this weight class, but Pereira dismisses these doubts as unfounded. He believes he can still withstand the physical toll of competing at heavyweight.

Pereira has responded to those who question his ability to take a punch by calling them "idiots". He points out that he was able to continue fighting after taking significant hits in his last bout, which suggests he's still a formidable competitor in the sport.

Alex Pereira has expressed his frustration at missing out on a potential title shot against Josh Hokit, citing concerns over the challenger's inexperience in the octagon.

Pereira draws parallels between Hokit's rapid rise to a title shot and his own early days in the UFC, where he earned three fights in less than a year before claiming middleweight gold against Israel Adesanya.

However, Pereira remains skeptical about Hokit's readiness for a high-profile bout against Ciryl Gane, suggesting that his opponents have been lackluster so far.