‘It will symbolise everything’: Pereira on third title against Gane

Alex Pereira has said that winning the heavyweight belt against Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 will ‘symbolise everything I’ve been through’.

Pereira will take on Gane for the heavyweight title on June 14 at the White House. If Poatan secures a victory, he would be the first fighter in UFC history to hold three belts in different weight classes following championship runs at middleweight and light heavyweight.

Speaking during an interview on UFC’s YouTube channel, Pereira said that the heavyweight belt will be unique and it will symbolise everything he has been through.

“For me, it will be something very special. Unique,” Pereira said.

“This will only happen once, it’s a unique belt. Many have the UFC belt, but this one is different, so it will symbolise everything I’ve been through, all the difficulties to get there.”

Pereira has a 13-3 MMA record, including 11 wins by knockout and two decision victories. Before he arrived at Dana White’s UFC, he went 33-7 in kickboxing with 21 knockouts, won Glory titles at middleweight and light heavyweight. He also has a boxing victory to his name by knockout.

He stopped Israel Adesanya to win the UFC middleweight belt, then moved to 205 pounds, and also secured the light heavyweight title. His jump to the heavyweight class now puts his power against an opponent who has spent years near the top of the division.

The UFC’s 14th June event is part of the promotion's celebratory show at the White House and US President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.

Alex Pereira recently vacated his light heavyweight title to chase a superfight against Jones in the heavyweight division but ended up getting a chance against Gane.