Alex Pereira Says He Is Afraid to Fight Again After UFC Loss and Appeal

Alex Pereira, known as Poatan, intensified his public criticism after his loss to Ciryl Gane in a UFC event at the White House. The heavyweight title fight, held as the main event of the historic card in Washington, D.C., ended in a decisive defeat for Pereira, who has already filed an official appeal over the result.

Following the bout, Pereira accused referee Herb Dean of allowing Gane to land illegal punches to the back of the head. He continued attacking the officiating on social media, posting stories and clips that criticized Dean’s handling of the fight.

In the latest post, Pereira wrote, “Honestly, I’m afraid to go back to fighting with all this going on. I think I’ve already done my part.” He shared the message alongside a video criticizing Dean’s refereeing. The post was published on June 22, 2026, after his earlier complaints had already sparked debate.

Dean responded by posting his own video on social media, defending his decision and saying Pereira was complaining about nothing. That reply appears to have further angered the Brazilian fighter, while also drawing criticism toward the referee himself. Pereira’s next steps in competition remain unclear while the appeal is pending.