Alex Pereira is pushing for an immediate heavyweight rematch with Ciryl Gane after their UFC Freedom 250 bout on the White House lawn.
Pereira lost to Gane by second-round TKO stoppage on Sunday and is still dealing with physical and mental effects from the fight. He believes he was hit with illegal blows to the back of the head and may appeal the result, while also moving quickly to secure a second meeting.
"We already asked the UFC for an immediate rematch (vs. Ciryl Gane)," Pereira said. "I know everything is crazy on their side with this event. We're following up and seeing the next steps as far as this. This is the plan."
Pereira currently has a 60-day suspension and is eyeing a return later this year. "Well, I've got a 60-day suspension, right?" he said. "So I've got to get that through. But I think September, around September would be a good date. That would be past the suspension time. I'll be able to do a camp and train. I think sometime around September."
Despite the setback at UFC Freedom 250, Pereira emphasized his mindset going forward. "Well, anyone who knows me knows I'm always motivated regardless, especially after everything that happened right now," he said. "I'm motivated to come back and perform and win the belt."
