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Josh Hokit says Alex Pereira needs to rebuild momentum before a potential matchup between them after the former light heavyweight champion's loss to Ciryl Gane.

Hokit posted on social media Wednesday that Pereira's heavyweight debut went sideways, calling it Gane's easiest win in five years. "Can we let Alex get a little bit of his aura back first?" Hokit wrote, per Sherdog. "I was teeing him up to be my Jose Aldo-Conor moment and he went out and became Ciryl Gane's easiest win in 5 years."

Hokit Pushes For BMF Title Instead Of Contender Bout

The heavyweight contender added that if the UFC books the fight anyway, it should carry different stakes than originally planned. "But since @ufc was about to make Alex the GOAT if he won, if he & I are next it should be for the BMF," he posted with a smiling emoji.

Pereira dropped a unanimous decision to Gane at UFC 327 earlier this month in his first appearance above 205 pounds. The Brazilian had been riding a wave of hype into heavyweight after three successful light heavyweight title defenses, but Gane controlled the striking exchanges and stuffed every takedown attempt across five rounds.

Hokit holds a 14-3 record and has won two straight since joining the UFC roster last year. No timeline has been announced for either fighter's next appearance.

Source: sherdog.com

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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