Alex Pereira is still stewing over missing out on a rematch with Ciryl Gane, and this week he aimed some of that frustration at the UFC itself. Per Ag Fight, Pereira accused the promotion of manipulating public opinion to build up the Gane vs. Josh Hokit heavyweight title fight, suggesting the company was pushing narratives to make fans accept the matchup instead of giving him a second shot at Gane.

Daniel Cormier was not willing to let that stand without a response. According to MMA Fighting, Cormier said plainly, "I was not told by the UFC to promote" the Gane vs. Hokit fight, pushing back directly on Pereira's accusation. Sherdog and Bloody Elbow both reported that Cormier does not want any bitterness creeping into his relationship with Pereira, with Cormier reportedly calling the Brazilian's read on the situation misguided while saying he hopes their friendship survives the disagreement.

The backdrop here is simple enough. Gane finished Pereira by knockout in the second round back in June, and Pereira wanted the rematch. Instead the UFC booked Gane against Hokit, the number four ranked heavyweight who knocked out Derrick Lewis on that same June card. Gane is a sizable favorite at minus 255 for the November 14 title defense at UFC 334, with our own model giving him a 71 percent chance against Hokit's 29.

Fans have been digging through the exchange online, and the discussion has also drifted into old footage of Cormier's own fighting days, including his finish of Anthony Johnson for the vacant light heavyweight title, as people revisit his history while weighing in on the current dispute.