Alex Pereira Shows Respect After Controversial UFC Heavyweight Title Fight

Former two division UFC champion Alex Pereira has revealed why he is not bitter toward Ciryl Gane after their contentious heavyweight title bout.

The fight ended in controversy over illegal blows but Pereira felt the burden was with the referee, and not his opponent.

The match sparked plenty of talk as numerous hits found the back of Pereira’s head in the concluding sequence.

Strikes to the back of the head are fouls under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts and many fans and commentators are debating if the action should have been stopped.

Despite the controversy, Pereira has justified Gane’s behavior stating fighters often respond instinctively in the heat of battle.

“The athletes are focused on finishing fights and they can’t always judge every strike perfectly in fast paced exchanges,” he said.

Instead, Pereira says it’s the referee’s role to spot unlawful punches and step in when required.

Pereira confessed he was dissatisfied with the way the bout finished but insisted he has no personal vendettas with the French heavyweight.

But his focus remain steadfast on getting back in the cage and chasing his goal of being a UFC champion in a third division.

With the win Gane stays in the mix of the top contender in the heavyweight division while Pereira continues to get the support of fans who respected his composure after the controversial ending.

Many onlookers commended the Brazilian for not attacking him personally but focused on professionalism.

The heavyweight division remains one of the most competitive division in the UFC with multiple strong contenders vying for championship opportunities.

Pereira already has said he wants another big fight and has no interest in lingering on the loss.

And although the officiating remains a hot topic of debate Pereira’s calm attitude has been respect throughout the MMA community.

Instead of criticizing his opponent he has decided to move forward knowing that every fighter must learn from tough moments to succeed in the future.