Alex Pereira VS Ciryl Gane

Ciryl Gane stopped Alex Pereira by TKO (punches) at 1:27 of Round 2 to claim the interim UFC heavyweight title in the co-main event of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, 2026. Gane controlled the first round from the center of the Octagon, landing straight punches that repeatedly snapped Pereira's head back while Pereira's head kick attempts failed to find the target. In the second, a sharp Gane jab dropped Pereira to the canvas; Gane followed and poured on ground-and-pound until Pereira regained his feet, but the Brazilian was visibly still hurt and referee Herb Dean stopped the contest at the 1:27 mark. The finish denied Pereira what would have been an unprecedented achievement — a third UFC title belt to complement the middleweight and light heavyweight championships he had previously held.

Alex Pereira chases unprecedented UFC history at UFC Freedom 250, attempting to become the first fighter to win titles in three separate weight classes after vacating his light heavyweight belt to pursue this interim heavyweight crown against Ciryl Gane. The fight pits Pereira's devastating one-punch knockout power against a 43-pound physical disadvantage, while Gane — ranked the division's top contender — has signaled he will abandon a pure striking duel and weaponize his grappling to neutralize the threat. The winner earns the interim heavyweight title and a mandatory date with undisputed champion Tom Aspinall.