Ciryl Gane delivered a second-round stoppage of Alex Pereira to claim the interim UFC heavyweight crown at UFC Freedom 250, which took place at the White House on Sunday evening. The result halted Pereira’s attempt to become the first three-division champion in UFC history and marked a significant milestone for Gane in the heavyweight ranks.
Gane crowned interim champion
After a competitive opening round in which Pereira pressed forward with multiple head-kick attempts, Gane began to pull ahead on the scorecards by landing clean, powerful punches. The former light heavyweight and middleweight titleholder responded with a strike at the bell, but failed to build momentum heading into the second stanza. Early in round two, Gane landed a crisp jab that dropped Pereira, then followed up with ground strikes until referee Herb Dean intervened at 1:24 to stop the contest, crowning Gane the new interim heavyweight champion.
Fight breakdown
Pereira, known for his heavy hands and dynamic striking, opened aggressively and forced Gane to navigate a high volume of feints and kicks in the first five minutes. Gane’s counter-punching, however, proved more effective. A perfectly timed left hook and right cross began to tilt the balance in his favour. In the second round, Gane’s jab set up the decisive blow—a straight right that put Pereira on the canvas. Although Pereira rose to his feet, he remained visibly hurt and was unable to defend himself adequately before Dean stepped in to save him from further damage.
Next steps in the heavyweight division
With the interim belt around his waist, Gane is positioned to challenge for undisputed status once UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall returns. Aspinall has been sidelined since October, following an eye injury sustained in his first title defence, which ended in a no-contest after an accidental poke by Gane at UFC 321. Doctors are yet to clear the Englishman for full-contact work, though the promotion hopes he will be fit to fight before the end of 2026. Gane has publicly called for that rematch to take place in Paris this December.
The victory not only cements Gane’s standing at the top of the heavyweight division but also sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown with Aspinall. For Pereira, the loss represents a rare setback as he seeks to add heavyweight gold to his middleweight and light heavyweight résumé.
FAQ
Who won the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250?
Ciryl Gane defeated Alex Pereira by second-round stoppage to capture the interim UFC heavyweight championship.
How did Ciryl Gane finish Alex Pereira?
Gane dropped Pereira with a sharp jab in round two and followed with ground strikes until referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 1:24 of the round.
Where and when did the fight take place?
The interim heavyweight clash occurred at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday evening at the White House.
What is next for Ciryl Gane?
Gane is expected to challenge undisputed champion Tom Aspinall once Aspinall recovers from a lingering eye injury, with hopes to stage the bout before the end of 2026.
