Just days after suffering a crushing loss at UFC Freedom 250, Alex Pereira is firing back—not at opponent Ciryl Gane, but at veteran referee Herb Dean. Pereira has accused Dean of ignoring illegal strikes during the fight and is now calling for disciplinary action, further escalating the fallout from one of the year's most talked-about bouts.
According to CBS Sports, Pereira's pursuit of history came to an abrupt end when Gane stopped him in the second round of their heavyweight clash at UFC Freedom 250. The loss derailed Pereira's attempt to become the first fighter in UFC history to win championships in three weight classes. But according to the former middleweight and light heavyweight champion, the outcome was influenced by strikes that should never have been allowed.
"It was a lucky jab," Pereira said in an Instagram reel, referring to the punch that dropped him.
While he acknowledged the knockdown itself was legitimate, he argued that the follow-up sequence crossed the line: "I believe if it wasn't for those shots, I'd be in that situation and could've possibly recovered. Maybe not, but those shots were very hard and illegal."
Pereira claims he specifically raised concerns about strikes to the back of the head before the fight even began. According to the Brazilian star, he discussed the issue with Dean during the pre-fight rules meeting, using his coach Plino Cruz as a translator. He said another official was even brought over to demonstrate where legal punches end and illegal strikes begin.
"A punch to the back of the head—you're right there, man. You have to be seeing it," Pereira said. His frustration eventually turned toward Dean himself. "He is not a man. He shouldn't have been refereeing that fight."
Pereira went even further, arguing that officials should face consequences when they fail to protect fighters: "A guy like that should be punished. It's a very serious job and a very serious event."
The controversy arrives at a difficult moment for Pereira, whose name has already been dominating headlines for reasons outside the Octagon. In recent weeks, court filings and deposition testimony brought renewed attention to allegations made by former partner Merle Christine, who has accused Pereira of assault, stalking, coercive sexual behavior, and forcible confinement during their relationship. Pereira has denied all allegations.
Christine told CBC News she sought a restraining order so Pereira "cannot contact me anymore, he cannot speak about me anymore and he cannot instrumentalize his fans anymore." Pereira denied claims of violence during a January deposition and disputed allegations that he prevented her from leaving their residence.
He has also denied separate sexual assault allegations made by another woman, Meredith Brown, following an alleged encounter in New Jersey.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, help is available. Confidential support is available through RAINN at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at RAINN.org. In an emergency, call 911 or contact local law enforcement.
