UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has spoken out in strong defence of British heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, following Aspinall's second surgical procedure on a severe eye injury. The injury was sustained during Aspinall's title defence against Ciryl Gane in October, which ended as a first-round no-contest due to Gane's repeated eye pokes.
Pereira's Emphatic Support for Aspinall
Despite Aspinall releasing photographic evidence last week detailing the extensive treatment and recovery process, the 32-year-old champion has faced ongoing criticism from some sections of the MMA community. Pereira, however, has moved decisively to counter this narrative.
Speaking on the YouTube channel of fellow Brazilian fighter Valter Walker, who competes in the heavyweight division, Pereira expressed his firm belief in Aspinall's integrity. "When the stoppage happened in the fight, he came out complaining," Pereira stated, translated from Portuguese. "[Some] didn't believe him, others just trashed him. Look, I don't mess around with health, man. I see it like: this guy's a fighter, he's not gonna fake something like that."
The Visual Evidence That Shocked Pereira
Pereira revealed that seeing the post-surgery photographs shared by Aspinall had a profound impact on him. "But the guy is back now after surgery. I saw the photo that he posted. Man, his eye was all red, it even scared me a bit. The eye is really delicate, you know?" This candid admission underscores the severity of the injury and Pereira's genuine concern for a fellow athlete's wellbeing.
Uncertain Future for the Heavyweight Division
With Aspinall's fighting future now shrouded in uncertainty as he continues his recovery, speculation is mounting about potential interim title fights. Some fans have called for a bout involving Ciryl Gane, who previously held the interim heavyweight belt. Intriguingly, there have even been suggestions of a matchup between Gane, aged 35, and Pereira himself, who is 38.
Pereira last competed in October, spectacularly knocking out Magomed Ankalaev in just 80 seconds to reclaim the light-heavyweight championship. The Brazilian star, nicknamed "Poatan", has previously teased a move up to the heavyweight division, adding fuel to these rumours.
Pereira's Ambitions and the Jon Jones Factor
Historically, Pereira has expressed a primary interest in facing the controversial UFC legend Jon Jones. Jones held the heavyweight title from 2023 until his retirement last summer, at which point Aspinall was elevated from interim champion to undisputed champion. Despite his retirement, the 38-year-old Jones has recently voiced a desire to fight at the White House on 14 June, keeping his name in the conversation for major future events.
This complex situation leaves the UFC's heavyweight landscape in a state of flux, with Aspinall's health being the paramount concern amidst these swirling rumours and potential matchups.
