TLDR
- Dana White rejected rumors of Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane with an Instagram meme response
- Brazilian outlet MMA Hoje reported Pereira would fight Gane for interim heavyweight gold at UFC 328
- Pereira has expressed interest in moving to heavyweight after Jon Jones injury sidelined their potential fight
- Conflicting reports suggest either Prochazka vs. Ulberg or Prochazka vs. Chimaev for vacant light heavyweight title
- UFC has not officially confirmed any of the reported matchups for upcoming cards
Sources: EssentiallySports | LowKickMMA
UFC CEO Dana White dismissed rumors about Alex Pereira fighting Ciryl Gane using a meme response on Instagram. The speculation centered on a potential heavyweight matchup at the UFC White House card.
Brazilian outlet MMA Hoje reported that Pereira would vacate his light heavyweight title to face Gane for an interim heavyweight championship at UFC 328 on May 9. The UFC has not officially confirmed any part of this report.
White’s rejection comes as Pereira has expressed interest in moving to heavyweight after Jon Jones’ injury sidelined their potential matchup. The light heavyweight champion has indicated his next fight is nearly finalized.
Pereira’s Heavyweight Ambitions
Pereira remains open to fighting at either heavyweight or light heavyweight for his next bout. He has not specified which weight class he prefers.
The rumors suggested Pereira would fight Gane for an interim heavyweight belt while Jones recovers from injury. This would have marked Pereira’s first fight at heavyweight in the UFC.
Gane currently ranks as one of the top contenders in the heavyweight division. A fight with Pereira would represent a major test for the Brazilian fighter’s move up in weight.
🚨Dana White responds to Alex Pereira fighting Ciryl Gane at #UFCWhiteHouse 👀 pic.twitter.com/vUq1Zsm0AT
— Octagon Pulse | UFC MEDIA🚨 (@OctagonPulse) February 20, 2026
Light Heavyweight Title Picture
If Pereira vacates the light heavyweight title, the UFC would need to crown a new champion. Earlier reports from MMA Hoje suggested Jiri Prochazka would face Carlos Ulberg for the vacant 205-pound belt at UFC 327.
However, MMA content creator @realkevink later reported that middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev could face Prochazka for the vacant light heavyweight title instead. The UFC has not addressed these conflicting reports.
Prochazka holds a 32-5-1 record and has won his last two fights by stoppage. He defeated Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in January 2025 and Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320 in October 2025.
Chimaev recently stated on the JAXXON Podcast that he wants to become a two-division champion. The undefeated fighter said he prioritizes big fights over maintaining a perfect record.
Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman suggested Chimaev has outgrown the middleweight division on his Pound 4 Pound podcast. Reports place Chimaev’s walking weight between 225 and 230 pounds.
The UFC 327 card is scheduled for April 11 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Flyweight champion Joshua Van will defend his title against Tatsuro Taira in the confirmed co-main event.
Other fights on the card include Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker, Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown, and Paulo Costa’s light heavyweight debut against Azamat Murzakanov. The main event remains unannounced.
Pereira has become one of the UFC’s biggest stars since moving to light heavyweight. He holds wins over Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, and Jan Blachowicz.
The Brazilian fighter previously competed at middleweight before moving up to 205 pounds. His knockout power has translated well to the heavier weight class.
White’s meme response on Instagram effectively ended speculation about the Pereira-Gane matchup for now. The UFC has not provided alternative plans for either fighter’s next bout.
