Ciryl Gane stuns Alex Pereira to win interim title at UFC Freedom 250

Ciryl Gane prevented Alex Pereira from making UFC historical past within the co-main occasion of UFC Freedom 250.

Gane knocked out Pereira within the second spherical to win the interim heavyweight title matchup and cease Pereira from turning into the primary fighter to win UFC titles in three completely different weight courses.

Pereira was making his heavyweight debut on Sunday night time and, if victorious, would’ve added that interim title to his assortment that features the UFC middleweight and light-heavyweight belts.

The soon-to-be 39-year-old from Brazil additionally had a legendary profession as a two-weight kickboxing world champion earlier than transitioning to blended martial arts. 

“Poatan” started his UFC tenure 4.5 years in the past as a 185-pounder and received the middleweight belt when he beat Israel Adesanya in 2022. He later moved up to the 205-pound division, the place he grew to become a two-time light-heavyweight champ with six knockout wins over an eight-fight stretch. 

Pereira determined to transfer up in weight but once more following an 80-second win over Magomed Ankalaev in October.

At Saturday’s UFC Freedom 250 weigh-in, Pereira weighed a career-high 251 kilos with Gane tipping the size at 248 kilos.

Gane was competing in his fifth UFC heavyweight title battle in his previous eight appearances. He’s now 2-2 with one no-contest up to now when UFC gold is on the road and is a two-time interim champion.

The 36-year-old from France beforehand received an interim belt 5 years in the past when he defeated Derrick Lewis earlier than ultimately dropping a unification bout to Francis Ngannou. He additionally misplaced a separate title bout to Jon Jones.

Gane is coming off a battle towards reigning heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall in October, throughout which Gane poked Aspinall in each eyes, leading to a no-contest.

Aspinall has nonetheless not been cleared for contact as he recovers from the a number of eye surgical procedures required due to Gane’s fouls.

Gane is aware of an undisputed title matchup with Aspinall is subsequent, and after beating Pereira, referred to as for the rematch to happen in September when the UFC figures to maintain its annual occasion in Paris.