Pereira Challenges UFC 334 Decision to Headline Gane vs Hokit

The main event selection for UFC 334 has drawn criticism from former two-division champion Alex Pereira, who believes the women's bantamweight title fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes deserves top billing over the heavyweight championship matchup between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit. Pereira voiced his objection on social media on October 9, 2026, ahead of the promotion's November event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

According to MMA Junkie and other coverage, Pereira questioned whether the scheduled headliner was attracting sufficient attention. Harrison, with a 19-1 MMA record and a 3-0 UFC record, is set to face Nunes, who holds a 23-5 overall record and a 16-2 UFC record. The matchup is again positioned as the co-main event rather than the featured attraction.

Pereira made his position clear in an Instagram Stories post featuring the UFC 334 promotional poster.

"Why the Women's Fight is Not the Main Event? Okay let me help promote this cause not one is payin attention to it..." Pereira wrote.

The Brazilian's criticism comes after he lost to Gane in June at the UFC event held at the White House. Pereira had been pursuing another heavyweight title opportunity, but the UFC selected Hokit to challenge Gane instead. Coverage by Yahoo Sports noted that the matchup followed Tom Aspinall's decision to vacate the heavyweight title, after which Gane was promoted to undisputed champion and scheduled to make his first title defense.

Hokit responded to Pereira's remarks on X, mocking the former champion's comments and questioning his standing in the sport. The American heavyweight has previously exchanged verbal jabs with Pereira, including an incident backstage earlier in the year, according to Yahoo Sports.

"My name Dum Dum. You bring me Gum Gum?" Hokit wrote.

Hokit continued his response by criticizing Pereira's reputation and suggesting that the Brazilian had lost his former standing. His remarks also referenced the possibility of a future fight between Hokit and Sergei Pavlovich.

"I didn't realize that losing your aura, affected your IQ. You aren't even BMF worthy. They prefer a little crotch sniffer over a Auraless Sorceress.

Hopefully Sergei doesn't end you like he did your brazillian punching bag, teammate." Hokit wrote.

The reference to Pavlovich concerns Pereira's next scheduled appearance at UFC 335, where the Brazilian is expected to face the heavyweight contender in the co-main event on December 12 in Las Vegas. According to LowKick MMA, Pavlovich recently defeated Pereira's training partner, Tallison Teixeira, in 39 seconds of the first round.

Hokit also addressed Pereira's physical preparation in a separate exchange with a fan on October 1, suggesting the Brazilian needed to reduce his weight before facing Pavlovich. He warned that a potential withdrawal or defeat could open the door for Hokit to fight Pavlovich early the following year.

"If Pereira doesn't get his fat ass weight down, you will get USA vs Russia by default, as Pavlovich will send Alex's dumb ass to the shadow realm & I will fight him early next year instead." Hokit wrote.

UFC 334 is scheduled for November 14 at Madison Square Garden, with Gane defending the heavyweight championship against Hokit. Pereira's next booked fight remains the December 12 co-main event against Pavlovich at UFC 335 in Las Vegas.