Daniel Cormier Rebuts Alex Pereira's UFC Claims, Aims to Keep Friendship

Former two-division champion Daniel Cormier has addressed recent comments made by fellow former two-division titleholder Alex Pereira, clarifying that he was never ordered by the UFC to promote an upcoming heavyweight title bout between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit. Cormier emphasized that he hopes their disagreement will not damage the personal bond they have established over the years.

Pereira (13-4) felt he deserved an immediate title rematch against Gane despite suffering a stoppage defeat to the French fighter at UFC Freedom 250 in June. However, Gane (14-2) is booked to defend his heavyweight championship against Hokit (10-0) at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Meanwhile, Pereira is slated to fight Sergei Pavlovich (21-3) at UFC 335 on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In light of the matchmaking, Pereira accused Cormier of acting on UFC instructions to build public support for Gane vs.

Hokit.

Responding on his YouTube channel, Cormier flatly rejected the accusation. “Alex Pereira and I have built a relationship over the past five years,” Cormier stated. “I believe that it’s a great relationship and I believe that it’s a friendship.

Pereira did an interview and he said some things. I was not told by the UFC to promote this as the fight to happen.”

Cormier also pushed back against Pereira’s recollection of a pre-fight conversation leading into the June bout. Pereira stated he had asked Cormier if beating Gane would crown him the heavyweight champion and that Cormier said no. Cormier disputed that version of events, sharing interview footage showing Pereira—speaking through coach and translator Plinio Cruz—actually asking whether defeating Gane would make him the greatest of all time (GOAT).