Cormier denies UFC directed him to back Gane fight, urges Pereira to preserve their friendship

Daniel Cormier has publicly denied that the UFC directed him to build support for the Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit heavyweight title fight, responding directly to accusations made by former two-division champion Alex Pereira. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cormier said he acted independently and expressed hope the dispute would not damage a friendship he values.

Pereira, who holds a 13-4 record, was stopped by Gane at UFC Freedom 250 in June and believes he deserved an immediate rematch rather than seeing Hokit — unbeaten at 10-0 — receive the next title shot. “Poatan” accused Cormier of helping manufacture public backing for that matchup at the promotion’s behest. Cormier flatly rejected the suggestion.

“Alex Pereira and I have built a relationship over the past five years,” Cormier said. “I believe that it’s a great relationship and I believe that it’s a friendship. I was not told by the UFC to promote this as the fight to happen.”

The disagreement also centres on a separate conversation the two men had before the Gane bout. Pereira claimed he had asked Cormier whether beating Gane would make him heavyweight champion, and that Cormier had answered no. Cormier disputed that characterisation, producing a clip of the exchange to support his version of events.

In the footage, Pereira — speaking through his coach and translator Plinio Cruz — asks whether a win over Gane would make him the greatest of all time, not simply the champion. Cormier said he told Pereira he would not yet hold that distinction but would be firmly in the conversation.

“This was before the White House card,” Cormier explained. “Alex asked me through Plinio if he won, would he be the GOAT. I didn’t say he wouldn’t be the champ; I said he wouldn’t be the GOAT yet. I showered Pereira with compliments. Pereira and I have a great relationship; I hope that doesn’t change. I think he’s a good guy; I think he’s a tremendous fighter.”

Pereira is scheduled to return against Sergei Pavlovich (21-3) at UFC 335 on 12 December at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Gane, meanwhile, will defend the heavyweight title against Hokit at UFC 334 on 14 November at Madison Square Garden in New York.