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Alex Pereira’s coach drops bold verdict on matchup with Ciryl Gane

Originally posted on HITC | By Filipe Guedes | Last updated Mar 15, 2026 4:25 PM ET

Alex Pereira could be on the verge of making UFC history as he steps up to heavyweight to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.

The Brazilian knockout artist has already captured UFC belts at middleweight and light heavyweight, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous champions in the promotion.

A victory over Gane would make ‘Poatan’ the first fighter in UFC history to win titles across three different divisions.

The bout will be for the interim heavyweight belt rather than the undisputed championship, which adds a slight caveat to the historic achievement.

Despite that detail, Pereira’s coach Glover Teixeira believes the matchup against the Frenchman is ideal for the Brazilian striker.

Glover Teixeira says Ciryl Gane is the ‘best matchup’ for Alex Pereira

Speaking on the Overdogs Brasil podcast, former UFC champion Teixeira shared his thoughts on Pereira’s upcoming fight against Gane.

The 46-year-old acknowledged that the heavyweight division includes extremely difficult opponents but suggested Gane’s style could play into Pereira’s strengths.

“Jon Jones, Aspinall, any of those guys would be incredibly tough,” Teixeira said.

“And Cyril Gane is a fast guy, he can come in and out, but I think it’s a very good matchup for Poatan; it’s the best matchup,” Teixeira stated.

Gane is known for his speed and movement despite competing at heavyweight, which helped him capture the interim title in 2021.

Still, the ex-champ appears confident that Pereira’s striking power will make the difference in the White House card co-main event.

Henry Cejudo questions Alex Pereira’s path to a third UFC title

Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo has expressed doubts about Pereira’s potential route to a third belt.

Speaking on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman, ‘Triple C’ argued that a historic achievement like becoming a three-division champion should involve winning an undisputed title.

“If you are going to fight for that third belt, it’s got to be the undisputed belt. It takes a little bit of what being a triple champ is,” he said.

Cejudo suggested Pereira may have been better off staying at light heavyweight and waiting for an undisputed title opportunity.

He also questioned whether the Brazilian star could get past Gane at heavyweight.

“I don’t think he gets past Ciryl Gane. I think that weight is real,” the 39-year-old commented.

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

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