Alex Pereira’s defeat to Ciryl Gane at UFC White House continues to spark debate across the MMA world.
While Gane was crowned interim champion, fans and pundits online questioned several strikes that appeared to land on the back of Pereira’s head, just before the finish.
In the UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi post fight interview, UFC CEO Dana White addressed the controversy.
White Acknowledges Illegal Strikes During Finish
White admitted that some of Gane’s shots appeared to connect to an illegal target area, but he also pointed out the difficulty officials face during fast-moving exchanges.
“I think every time anybody fights, the referee should be watching everything that happens.”
“No reffing anywhere is perfect. It could be an NBA game, it could be an NFL game, definitely some fights.”
The UFC boss added that the chaotic nature of grappling exchanges can make certain fouls difficult to catch in real time.
“It’s undeniable that he got hit with some strikes to the back of the head,”
“But in the middle of the action, you know, when it’s going on and guys are rolling around trying to get out of it, sometimes some fouls happen,
“Maybe Dean should have said, ‘Hey, watch the back of the head,’ or, you know, warned him or something.”
Dana White Rejects Criticism of Pereira
Some fans and analysts questioned Pereira’s decision to publicly discuss the illegal strikes after the loss. White quickly dismissed the idea that the Brazilian was simply making excuses.
“Alex Pereira is not a whiner, and Alex Pereira doesn’t complain about things or make excuses after fights.”
The comments carry weight considering Pereira’s reputation throughout his combat sports career. The former champion has rarely challenged officiating decisions or pointed to outside factors after defeats.
Rematch Plans Remain Unclear
In the days after the fight, Pereira floated the possibility of filing an appeal. He later shifted his focus toward securing a rematch with Gane instead.
White did not reveal where Pereira stands in the heavyweight title picture. With undisputed champion Tom Aspinall expected to return once healthy, the UFC could prioritize a unification bout between Aspinall and Gane before considering Pereira’s next move.