Alex Pereira accuses UFC and Daniel Cormier of manipulating fight promotion

UFC fighter Alex Pereira has accused commentator Daniel Cormier and the UFC of manipulating public perception to promote the heavyweight title fight between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit at UFC 334. Pereira, who sought an immediate rematch with Gane following a TKO loss, alleged that the promotion and Cormier pushed an agenda to make the Gane-Hokit matchup appear as the preferred fight.

Daniel Cormier has denied these conspiracy claims, stating he was not instructed by the UFC to promote the bout. Cormier emphasized his long-standing friendship with Pereira and clarified that his support for the matchup was based on factual analysis of the contenders. He also disputed Pereira's claim regarding a previous conversation about championship status.

Other industry figures have weighed in on the situation. Hall of Famer Michael Bisping criticized Pereira’s remarks, calling his dismissal of the Gane-Hokit title fight “crazy.” Meanwhile, challenger Josh Hokit expressed high confidence in his ability to defeat Gane at Madison Square Garden. Pereira is now scheduled to face Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 in December.