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WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Alex Pereira of Brazil reacts against Ciryl Gane of France in the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship bout during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping believes it’s time for Alex Pereira to stop talking about his UFC White House loss to Ciryl Gane.
At this point, everybody is well-aware that Pereira’s attempt to capture a third belt ended in disaster, as he was stopped in the second round by the French striker (highlights here). Equally understood was that the final finishing sequence was a little iffy, as some of Gane’s elbows and punches may have strayed down below the ears and towards the back of the head in the ensuing chaos.
It happens all the time.
“Poatan” is pissed, and the usually stoic Brazilian has lashed out at referee Herb Dean and Gane repeatedly. While his frustrations may be understandable, Bisping doesn’t believe he’s doing himself any favors with the continued complaints.
“Listen, he lost the fight, there’s no shame in that whatsoever,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel (via Curtis Calhoun). “But sitting there, complaining and crying about it, and going on about how he was fouled, it’s just not a good look. I don’t know who is advising him and letting him say this, but someone should pull him aside and tell him he was beaten. Fair and squared. Ciryl Gane wasn’t getting tired, by the way, that’s another thing Alex Pereira said…that that’s why he was lying on the floor after the fight.
Bisping concluded, “I’ve lain on the floor after many of my fights, because it’s done! It’s over! All of the pressure, training that you’ve done leading into this moment. It was all worthwhile.”
Sadly, I don’t think Pereira has yet heard Bisping’s advice. On Thursday, the Brazilian great posted a skit about rabbit punches and questionable refereeing. I don’t speak any Portuguese, yet the message comes across pretty clear anyway: Pereira isn’t impressed by the reasoning coming back his direction from referee Herb Dean and the like.
Bisping is definitely correct in that Pereira currently has a PR problem — folks online are (momentarily) turning against the historic fan favorite — but “Poatan” definitely has a right to be upset all the same. Getting hit in the back of the head is very dangerous and can have dire results, even if fans are quick to forget the physical toll and risks involved.
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