UFC Freedom 250 will reach a fever pitch as we bring you a prediction and pick for the Co-Main Event featuring a battle for the Interim Heavyweight Championship. Two-division champ Alex Pereira will make his heavyweight debut against former belt holder and No. 1 Ciryl Gane in a can’t-miss bout. Check our UFC odds series for the Pereira-Gane prediction and pick.
Alex Pereira (13-3) is 10-2 inside the UFC since 2021 en route to holding Middleweight and Light Heavyweight championships. Now, he makes his long-awaited debut at heavyweight looking to rewrite the mixed martial arts history books as the first three-division champ in the UFC. Pereira stands 6-foot-4 with a 79-inch reach.
Ciryl Gane (13-2) has gone 10-2-0-1 inside the UFC since 2019, formerly holding the heavyweight belt in 2021. After back-to-back wins, Gane got his title shot against Tom Aspinall that ended in ‘No Contest’ due to the infamous eye poke. Now, Gane comes to reclaim his title in this second opportunity, standing 6-foot-4 with an 81-inch reach.
UFC Freedom 250 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC Freedom 250 Odds: Alex Pereira-Ciryl Gane Odds
Alex Pereira: -108
Ciryl Gane: -112
Over 2.5 rounds: -160
Under 2.5 rounds: +124
Why Alex Pereira Will Win
- Last Fight: (W) Magomed Ankalaev – TKO (overhand right, R1)
- Last 5: 4-1
- Finishes: 11 KO/TKO
Alex Pereira came right back and decisively put away Magomed Ankalaev to regain the Light Heavyweight belt, hitting Ankalaev with a perfect overhand right to drop him. While Pereira admitted his first meeting with Ankalaev wasn’t his best showing, he made all the right adjustments and found the timing almost immediately to notch the finish. That’s exactly what he does best and his distance control along with the timing is the best on the planet right now.
Last fighting in October 2025, Pereira has been taking the time to gain weight and adapt his body in the time since. He’s reported around 250 pounds, visibly gaining muscle to his frame from all the looks we’ve seen up to this point. While he timing and distance control should be the same, it’ll be interesting to see how his frame moves at the new weight. It could be at a benefit to his chin as well given he’s 38 years old and the consistent brawls aren’t doing him any favors.
The most interesting part of this fight for Pereira will be how he utilizes the low leg kick early and later throws looks with the high head kick. Gane is a mobile heavyweight but he’s been known to eat a few calf kicks in the past. Pereira will be looking to hinder the movement early while making Gane paranoid, eventually throwing that high head kick in hopes of a knockout.
Why Ciryl Gane Will Win
- Last Fight: (NC) Tom Aspinall – No Contest (eye poke, R1)
- Last 5: 3-1-0-1
- Finishes: 6 KO/TKO, 3 SUB
The last fight against Tom Aspinall didn’t end the way anyone wanted it to, especially not Ciryl Gane himself. Many questioned his stake to fight for the title once again, but it’s hard denying Gane as worthy contender given his wins over Alexander Volkov and Serghei Spivac ranked right behind him. For Pereira’s debut at heavyweight, Ciryl Gane offers him the most competitive look given his own status as one of the best strikers in the division.
Ciryl Gane is a master of distance control in his own right and he’s been doing it successfully against the best fighters at heavyweight. The only true losses of his career have come against Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou, whom he pushed to a five-round decision. He’s the most fluid heavyweight when it comes to Muay Thai striking and he’s capable of picking opponents apart systematically.
However, Gane will be dealing with an equally experienced Muay Thai striker in Pereira, to which he’ll have to use his specific strengths. Gane is far more active with his movement while Pereira tends to stand straight up. Gane should be able to stick, move, and jab around Pereira effectively so long he avoids the knockout punch.
Final Alex Pereira-Ciryl Gane Prediction & Pick
This should be another very even fight in terms of styles as we’ll see two of the best pure strikers in the world at heavyweight. Alex Pereira is undoubtedly primed for this moment and should have the edge in both speed and knockout power, but we’re still awaiting to see how he moves and reacts at the heavier weight. Remember, Jon Jones did the same thing against Ciryl Gane and was able to win.
Still, Ciryl Gane offers a very difficult look for Pereira thanks to his movement and lateral control of the octagon. He’s much more fluid in darting in with quick shots, which could become a problem with Pereira’s flat-footed stance. Gane will also be very dangerous in the clinch with elbows and knees while being much more comfortable at his typical fighting weight.
Still, I like Alex Pereira to come out on top in this debut. He looks massive and the hope is that his chin will only become more durable, not as much of a threat against Gane’s level of power. This should be a methodical chess-match for the first few rounds as the total goes over.
Final Alex Pereira-Ciryl Gane Prediction & Pick: Alex Pereira (-108); OVER 2.5 Rounds (-160)
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