Artem Vakhitov, a former rival of Alex Pereira, expresses skepticism about the benefits of Pereira gaining weight ahead of a potential matchup against Ciryl Gane. Vakhitov argues that while Pereira has a strong striking background as a former champion, extra weight may not enhance his performance in the cage, particularly against a technically proficient heavyweight like Gane, who excels in movement and distance control. He emphasizes that Pereira's jump to heavyweight is a complex decision that may not yield the expected advantages in wrestling or striking.

By the Numbers
  • Alex Pereira is a former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion.
  • Ciryl Gane holds notable UFC victories over multiple top contenders, including Derrick Lewis and Alexander Volkov.
State of Play
  • Pereira is slated to fight Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title on June 14 in Washington, D.C.
  • The winner is expected to fight for the title against Tom Aspinall.
What's Next

The outcome of Pereira vs. Gane could pivot the heavyweight landscape, particularly if Pereira's weight gain strategy fails to produce the desired results against Gane's established skill set.

Bottom Line

While Pereira's striking prowess makes him a formidable opponent, simply relying on additional weight may not adequately address the technical challenges posed by Gane’s experience in the heavyweight division.