Is Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane happening? Well, Dana White has the answer! Initially, ‘Poatan’ was plotting a move to heavyweight, hoping to face Jon Jones on the UFC White House card on June 14. But those plans unraveled when ‘Bones’ revealed arthritis in his left hip. But the rumor mill didn’t stop, as Pereira was matched against Ciryl Gane in a potential fight. 

Some speculated that Pereira would vacate his light heavyweight strap to move to the heavyweight division to face Gane on the White House card. Meanwhile, Jiri Procházka and Carlos Ulberg would clash for Pereira’s title at UFC 327. However, UFC CEO Dana White has now reacted to those rumors, once again leaving Pereira’s future in shambles. 

What did Dana White say about Alex Pereira vs. Cyril Gane?

“Dana White responds to Alex Pereira fighting Ciryl Gane at,” Octagon Pulse captioned a post on X.

The post included a screenshot of an Instagram claim suggesting Pereira and Gane were set to clash on the White House card. In that same screenshot, a comment from Dana White was highlighted, showing the UFC CEO replying with a ‘Side eye Chloe’ meme—a reaction that seemingly poured cold water on the rumored matchup and hinted it was never in the works.

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This development follows ‘Poatan’ offering a promising update of his own, revealing that his next fight is close to being finalized.

“We are talking about some things,” Pereira told Valter Walker. “My next fight, we’ve already started conversations. It took a little while, but it’s very close to something being announced.”

In a subsequent Instagram post, the 38-year-old also shared his current weight—242.5 lbs—fueling speculation that his next appearance could come in the heavyweight division. The Brazilian is coming off a rematch victory over Magomed Ankalaev last year.

Meanwhile, Cyril Gane’s own future remains somewhat unclear, as Tom Aspinall continues to recover from a double eye poke sustained in their fight last year. In the meantime, Pereira himself has shared his thoughts on his next steps. 

Alex Pereira is ready for whatever Dana White has in store for him

After Alex Pereira learned about Jon Jones’ arthritis, he was understanding of Jones’ situation. 

“I think every athlete has chronic injuries, serious injuries,” Pereira told Valter Walker. “If a high-level athlete says something like that, for the history he has, it’s not new to me.

With Jones out of the picture, Alex Pereira is ready for whoever Dana White and the UFC have planned for him. 

“Whoever they put in front of me, I’ll be fighting,” Pereira said. “I love fighting, so it doesn’t matter weight classes… At the other two divisions, light heavyweight and heavyweight, [the opponent] is indifferent to me.”

Furthermore, aside from a potential clash with Carlos Ulberg, Alex Pereira has already defeated every other fighter in the UFC’s top five at light heavyweight. It’s fair to say the reigning champion is beginning to run short on fresh contenders—unless he’s willing to face challengers lower in the rankings or the promotion greenlights a long-discussed move up to heavyweight.

At this point, Pereira’s next fight remains uncertain. With limited options at 205 pounds and intriguing possibilities in a higher division, the UFC has some pivotal decisions to make. Only time will reveal who ultimately stands across the Octagon from ‘Poatan’ next. Who do you think Pereira should face in his next bout?