Dana White Shuts Down Pereira Rematch Talk: Star Power Does Not Earn Title Shots
White fired back at a reporter who argued Pereira deserved a Gane rematch based on his drawing power.
Dana White has no interest in giving Alex Pereira a fast track back to Ciryl Gane. When a reporter suggested Pereira deserved a rematch based on his star power, White shut it down flat.
"We make fights based on who is the best in the world and who deserves to be there," White said, per LowKick MMA. "Alex is coming off a loss right now against Ciryl Gane."
Pereira lost to Gane by TKO and later contested back-of-the-head shots, claiming they influenced the result. That argument has not changed the UFC's direction. Gane will defend his heavyweight title against undefeated contender Josh Hokit at UFC 334.
Pereira is expected to face Sergei Pavlovich next, a fight White plans to announce on Nina Drama's KICK stream this Saturday. It is a solid rebound matchup but a long way from another title shot.
The exchange was notable because White rarely has to defend the merit-based approach. The UFC has been criticized for the opposite, giving Conor McGregor and other draws title opportunities they had not earned. This time White planted the flag on the other side.
I love that Dana said this. I just do not believe it for a second.
This is the same promotion that tried to book McGregor for a welterweight title fight off a leg break. The same company that gave Brock Lesnar a title shot after a failed drug test. Star power has been the UFC's matchmaking engine for years.
But with Pereira specifically, Dana is making the right call even if the reasoning is convenient. Pereira got stopped. Gane looked levels above him. Throwing him right back in there does nothing for the division. Let Hokit earn his shot the hard way and let Pereira work through Pavlovich first.
If Pereira starches Pavlovich, the rematch conversation comes back on its own. That is how it should work.
