Alex Pereira Stays at 251 Pounds, Seeks Gane Rematch After Interim Title Loss

Q: After the historic White House event, what unprecedented venue will the UFC conquer for its next major spectacle?

There is no announced next “unprecedented venue” after the White House card. The available reporting says the White House event was treated as a one-off landmark show, and UFC CEO Dana White has since indicated the promotion will return to traditional indoor arenas for major events. That shift was attributed to the weather risks, logistical complexity, and high cost of staging a card on the South Lawn. So, after UFC Freedom 250, the UFC is not reported to be targeting another novel venue of similar symbolism or scale. The next major events on the schedule are in standard arenas, including T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Accor Arena in Paris, and other established indoor sites. In short, the White House was the unprecedented spectacle; no comparable new venue has been identified for the UFC’s next major show.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Jun 17

100% heavyweight is Pereira’s decision after his June 14 loss to Ciryl Gane, ruling out a return to 205 pounds and targeting another shot at the interim champion.
251 pounds on fight week did not leave him fatigued, Pereira said, arguing the defeat came from a “lucky punch” jab before he could raise his output in later rounds.
Herb Dean drew Pereira’s sharpest criticism: he said Gane followed with illegal blows to the back of the head, called for the referee to be fired by the commission and said he would refuse a future fight officiated by Dean.
Injury-free and saying he suffered no concussion, Pereira wants to return as soon as he is medically cleared, though UFC gave no clear answer when he asked backstage for an immediate rematch.
That request faces a hurdle because Gane, who holds the interim belt, has already pushed for a September unification bout in Paris with Tom Aspinall, and Aspinall has agreed.