Alex Pereira Questions UFC 334 Main Event Decision on Instagram

Alex Pereira has questioned the UFC 334 main event decision, arguing that a women’s bantamweight title fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes deserves top billing over Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2026.

Former two-division champion Alex Pereira took issue with the promotion’s fight order, using social media to argue that the heavyweight championship pairing of Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit should not close the show. Instead, the Brazilian fighter insists that the co-main event featuring women’s bantamweight titleholder Kayla Harrison and former two-division champion Amanda Nunes belongs in the premier slot. The scheduling of the upcoming Madison Square Garden card generated public disagreement.

Alex Pereira Targets UFC 334 Fight Order On Instagram

Tom Aspinall vacated his heavyweight title prior to the promotion elevating Gane to undisputed champion and scheduling his initial defense against Hokit. Pereira voiced his criticism through a series of posts on his Instagram Stories after the official UFC 334 poster was revealed. By sharing the promotional image, he questioned why the women’s championship bout was placed beneath the heavyweight clash. The heavyweight matchup was booked to main event the promotion’s return to New York City.

https://x.com/Josh_HokitUFC/status/2108656382266446236

“Why the Women’s Fight is Not the Main Event? Okay let me help promote this cause not one is payin attention to it…”

Alex Pereira, via MMA Junkie

Nunes previously held titles in both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, retiring in June 2023 before returning to challenge Harrison. The bantamweight title clash was originally scheduled for January 2026, but Harrison withdrew due to a neck injury that required surgery, leading the promotion to reschedule the matchup for UFC 334.

Josh Hokit Fires Back At Critics Ahead Of Title Match

Josh Hokit, who secured his title shot in his fifth UFC outing, quickly chimed in on social media with a series of pointed remarks directed at multiple combat sports stars. The critique from Pereira opened the door for a sharp retort from his heavyweight rival.

Alex Pereira questions UFC 334’s main event — Photo: Sportscape Magazine

“@jakepaul , @ciryl_gane , @AlexPereiraUFC , boxing or MMA, none want the Incredible Hok, smoke. I destroy Jake, easy. I’m Jakes size & age so he would never fight me. AJ’s size was his built in excuse. Ciryl & Alex were praying not to fight me. Ciryl was forced to. Pu*sies.”

Josh Hokit, via Lowkickmma

Hokit followed up with a direct jab at Pereira’s recent career trajectory, posting on X that losing an aura seemed to affect intellectual quotient and questioning his status within the BMF ranks. The challenger also responded on social media with a playful jab asking if the fighter brought him gum.

Matchmakers Weigh Fighter Popularity Against Championship Bouts

While a championship bout typically anchors an event, promotional matchmakers also weigh fighter popularity, commercial appeal, and historical context. The friction points toward an ongoing discussion regarding how major fight cards are structured.

https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/2108587206059200934

The event itself follows a turbulent period for the heavyweight division, which saw the title vacated before Gane was elevated to undisputed champion and booked for his first defense against Hokit. Pereira’s own history with Gane—having suffered a second-round technical knockout defeat to the French fighter in June at the White House—adds another layer of personal context to his commentary, even as he prepares for a December meeting with Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 in Las Vegas, where the winner could become the next 265-pound title challenger.