Pereira tells Hokit 'for me, you won' in backstage handshake after UFC 334 loss to Gane

Alex Pereira approached Josh Hokit backstage at Madison Square Garden after UFC 334 on Saturday and told him he believed he had beaten Ciryl Gane, despite the judges returning a unanimous decision for the reigning heavyweight champion.

Footage shared by Red Corner MMA captured Pereira shaking Hokit’s hand and offering a warm exchange that few would have predicted given the acrimony of fight week. During the UFC Freedom 250 build-up, Hokit had repeatedly directed personal insults at Pereira, making the post-event reconciliation all the more striking.

“Hey bro, Chama. Congrats, my brother. For me, you won,” Pereira told Hokit.

Hokit, for his part, returned the goodwill by wishing Pereira luck in his next assignment. “Best of luck in your fight. Chama,” he replied.

The loss to Gane was the first defeat of Hokit’s professional career, making Pereira’s public acknowledgement of his performance a notable moment of sportsmanship on an otherwise difficult night for the heavyweight contender.

Pereira is scheduled to return to action at UFC 335 on 12 December in Las Vegas, where he will face Sergei Pavlovich in a heavyweight bout that will further define his ambitions at 265 pounds.