ALEX PEREIRA and Ciryl Gane faced off for the penultimate time ahead of the UFC White House showdown.
The pair will vie for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event of Jattvibeday’s historic card at 1600 Pennsylvania.
Sign up for the Sport newsletter
Thank you!
Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane had their penultimate face off at the UFC White House presser Credit: GETTY
Pereira, 38, let out a primal roar as he held both of his belts after the face off Credit: REUTERS
The build-up between the battle of former kickboxers, 38 and 35 respectively, has been incredibly cordial.
In fact, both men have given glowing reviews of the other’s body of work during their respective stints inside the cage.
The pleasantries continued during this morning‘s final pre-fight presser at the Lincoln Memorial.
But that didn’t stop them from having a fiery staredown, which in large part came from fan Pereira’s ever stoic glare.
READ MORE UFC WHITE HOUSE NEWS
WHITE OUT
UFC admit White House card could be CANCELLED as major issue set to arise
U-S-A!
Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje: UFC Freedom 250 tips, odds, and betting predictions
Victory over Gane will see Pereira further etch his name into the history books, as well as earn a showdown with Brit champ Tom Aspinall.
He’ll become the first fighter in UFC history to hold belts in THREE different weight classes with a win over the Frenchman.
‘Poatan’ has put on a considerable amount of size ahead of his heavyweight bow.
And he recently revealed how much he expects to weigh on fight night.
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS
Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira throw down on this weekend’s historic UFC White House card Credit: UFC
The pair will vie for the vacant heavyweight title Credit: GETTY
When asked how much heavy he expects to be when he steps inside the octagon, he told Paramount+: “Around [242 pounds]
“Not too heavy, I was heavier before. I got up to [258 pounds] and then I gradually started cutting back down.”
“I was at [242 pounds], then I dropped to [205 pounds]
“Now doing the math is difficult … It helps me a lot because of my diet. I don’t have that concern anymore.
UFC White House card in full
Ilia Topuira vs. Justin Gaethje – lightweight title unification fight
Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane – interim heavyweight title
Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi – men’s bantamweight bout
Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis – heavyweight bout
Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler – lightweight bout
Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus – middleweight bout
Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia – featherweight bout
“When I was a middleweight, it was much more complicated.
“About a month before the fight, I had to cut back heavily on food, maybe even feel a bit weaker.
“The weight cut was pretty aggressive.
“Now I don’t have that concern anymore and for me, that’s very important.”
