Alex Pereira backed by Jon Jones’ old coach to get the job done against Ciryl Gane

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Alex Pereira backed by Jon Jones’ old coach to get the job done against Ciryl Gane

Originally posted on HITC | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated Apr 24, 2026 10:50 AM ET

Veteran coach Mike Winkeljohn has backed Alex Pereira to claim another title this June.

Pereira still holds out hope of eventually meeting Jon Jones, with both fighters having pitched the idea of a bout during their visit to the White House earlier this year.

One of Jones’ former coaches has now weighed in on how he sees Pereira performing against Ciryl Gane, who is coming off a convincing win over Sergei Spivac at UFC Paris 2023.

Mike Winkeljohn backs Alex Pereira to beat Ciryl Gane because of one key advantage

Mike Winkeljohn has shared his prediction for the interim heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, set to headline the White House card.

Winkeljohn, who has worked with some of the sport’s biggest names, spoke about both fighters’ strengths during an appearance on Submission Radio.

He singled out one factor in particular that gives ‘Poatan’ the edge in his eyes.

“It’s a tough one. Alex has the power. He has some scary power,” he said. “That is one big man. I think Ciryl has a lot of finesse type of things that are out there. I’m leaning towards Alex in this one a little bit, I really am. It’s kind of a tossup, there’s no doubt about it.”

“I think at the end of the day, there’s something about the left hook that Alex has that might catch Ciryl.”

Pereira recently earned back-to-back wins over Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka since reclaiming his light heavyweight belt against Hill at UFC 300.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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