Pereira mocks Gane's undisputed heavyweight crown with laughing-emoji Instagram post

Alex Pereira wasted no time dismissing Ciryl Gane’s newly elevated status, taking to Instagram on Wednesday to mock the Frenchman’s promotion to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. Pereira shared a graphic from MMA News HQ that cast doubt on Gane’s credentials, adding the caption “Champion” alongside three laughing emojis.

Gane’s upgrade from interim to undisputed champion was triggered by Tom Aspinall officially vacating the heavyweight title on Monday due to injury. Aspinall has been sidelined since UFC 321 last October, when an accidental eye-poke from Gane left him unable to continue, resulting in the bout being ruled a no-contest.

With Aspinall out of the picture, Gane seized the interim belt by knocking out Pereira at UFC White House — a result Pereira has repeatedly disputed, claiming he was on the receiving end of illegal shots to the back of the head during the fight.

The graphic Pereira shared highlighted Gane’s past title-fight losses to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, as well as a controversial decision win over Alexander Volkov, framing his path to the undisputed throne as less than convincing. Pereira’s repost suggests he views his own defeat as a blemish on Gane’s record rather than a legitimate credential.

The UFC has yet to announce how it intends to shape Gane’s reign. Pereira, Volkov, and undefeated contender Josh Hokit are all reported to be circling a potential title shot, meaning the heavyweight division’s pecking order is far from settled despite Gane’s official coronation.