Alex Pereira's Heavyweight Photo Draws Skepticism Before Gane Bout

Alex Pereira has checked in at 258 pounds for his heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 this Sunday, and fans are not impressed with how the former two-division champion got there.

According to ESPN, Pereira tipped the scales at 258 during fight week for the historic White House event in Washington, D.C. The Brazilian's official UFC heavyweight portrait has now surfaced alongside his previous middleweight and light heavyweight photos, revealing a 73-pound jump from his original 185-pound fighting weight. MMA Mania reported that the side-by-side comparison sparked immediate criticism from fight fans who believe the added bulk looks more like fat than functional muscle.

Fans Question Pereira's Heavyweight Build Ahead of Gane Showdown

Social media reaction to Pereira's new frame has been harsh. One commenter wrote that the heavyweight version of Pereira is "just out of shape Alex," while another suggested he "ballooned up by eating everything in sight." Multiple fans predicted that Gane, a multiple-time heavyweight title challenger with superior athleticism, will dominate the bout. "Ciryl Gane is going to mop the floor with this guy," one fan wrote, per the MMA Mania report.

Pereira is attempting to become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in three separate weight classes. He previously held the middleweight and light heavyweight straps before moving up to challenge Gane on the South Lawn to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The transformation drew comparisons to Jon Jones, who faced similar mockery when his heavyweight portrait first appeared online.

Official weigh-ins for UFC Freedom 250 take place Friday in Washington.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Pic: Alex Pereira’s UFC Freedom 250 side-by-side Heavyweight transformation has Ciryl Gane fans not worried at all