Tom Aspinall Picks Ciryl Gane to Beat Alex Pereira on Points
Tom Aspinall believes Alex Pereira is dangerous enough to knock out almost anyone, but he still favors Ciryl Gane in their upcoming fight.
The UFC heavyweight champion gave his view on the Pereira vs Gane matchup and explained why he thinks Gane’s movement, experience, and striking style could make the difference.
“Alex can absolutely knock him out,” Aspinall said. “It’s hard to do it against Ciryl Gane though. I’ve tried to do it myself.”
That line makes Aspinall’s prediction even more interesting because he has shared the cage with Gane and understands how difficult he can be to hit cleanly.
Aspinall Sees Gane as a Difficult Target
Alex Pereira’s biggest weapon is obvious.
He has elite striking, dangerous timing, and the kind of power that can change a fight in one moment. Even at heavyweight, Pereira’s left hook, leg kicks, and calm pressure make him a threat against anyone.
But Aspinall believes Gane is not an easy opponent to knock out.
Gane moves differently from most heavyweights. He uses footwork, distance, angles, and speed to avoid damage while forcing opponents to chase him. That style can make even powerful strikers miss or hesitate.
Aspinall knows that from experience.
When he says it is hard to knock out Gane, he is not guessing. He has been in there with him and understands how tricky that movement can be.
That is why he sees the fight as more than just Pereira’s power against Gane’s chin. For Aspinall, the real question is whether Pereira can find the right moment before Gane builds rounds with movement and volume.
Pereira vs Gane Could Become a Kickboxing Fight
Aspinall also described the matchup as a striking battle.
“It’s gonna be a kickboxing fight with MMA gloves on,” he said.
That makes sense. Pereira comes from an elite kickboxing background and has built his MMA success around world-class striking. Gane is also one of the smoothest strikers in the heavyweight division, known for his movement and ability to control range.
If the fight stays on the feet, fans could see a technical battle between two very different styles.
Pereira will likely look to pressure, cut off space, attack the legs, and create openings for his power shots. Gane will likely try to stay light, move laterally, touch Pereira from range, and avoid standing still for too long.
That is why Aspinall is leaning toward Gane on points.
“If I was leaning one way, it would be Ciryl Gane on points,” Aspinall said.
It is not that he is dismissing Pereira. He clearly respects Pereira’s knockout danger. But he believes Gane’s style gives him a strong chance to survive the power moments and win rounds.
Tom Aspinall’s prediction adds another smart layer to the Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane conversation.
He believes Pereira can absolutely knock Gane out, but he also knows how difficult Gane is to catch clean. After fighting Gane himself, Aspinall understands the movement, distance control, and patience that make him such a difficult heavyweight matchup.
For Aspinall, the fight looks like a kickboxing battle with MMA gloves.
And if he has to pick a winner, he is leaning toward Ciryl Gane by points.
