Alex Pereira Criticizes Daniel Cormier Over Heavyweight Title Fight

Pereira's Discontent with UFC Decisions

Alex Pereira has publicly criticized Daniel Cormier for allegedly promoting an agenda regarding the upcoming heavyweight title fight. Pereira expressed frustration over his previous bout against Ciryl Gane, which he claims ended due to illegal strikes to the back of his head. He was anticipating an immediate rematch for the interim heavyweight title but was disappointed when the UFC announced that Gane would face Josh Hokit for the undisputed title instead.

Cormier's Role in the Title Fight

Pereira is set to face Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event of UFC 335, while Gane and Hokit will compete at UFC 334. Despite this, Pereira remains unhappy about missing the opportunity to fight for the title. He has directed his frustrations toward Cormier, suggesting that Cormier's comments contributed to the decision to book Gane against Hokit. Pereira believes that Cormier's influence helped sway public opinion in favor of this matchup.

Claims of Manipulation

In an interview, Pereira recounted a conversation with UFC executive Hunter Campbell, who indicated that Gane vs. Hokit was the planned matchup. Pereira mentioned that he initially thought he would be considered for the fight. However, after the UFC's announcement, he felt misled by the promotion's claims of public support for the fight. He accused the UFC of using influencers, including Cormier, to manipulate perceptions about the matchup. Pereira stated that he saw Cormier and others promoting the fight before it was officially announced, which he believes was part of a strategy to prepare the audience for the decision.

Next Steps for Pereira

Pereira aims to secure a title shot again, contingent on a victory over Pavlovich. If successful, he could potentially face the winner of Gane vs. Hokit in the future.