UFC Freedom 250 - Ciryl Gane vs Alex Pereira Betting Odds

The co-main event of UFC Freedom 250 will feature a mega fight for the interim heavyweight title between the former two-weight world champion, Alex Pereira and multiple time title challenger and former interim title holder, Ciryl Gane.

 This marks the first time that Pereira will compete up at heavyweight and there are plenty of questions as to how he will look at the weight. Will his power carry up in weight against heavier guys? Will he be much slower? His opponent, Gane, is certainly quick for a heavyweight. Much like Pereira, he prefers life in the stand up realm and therefore this fight is a fans dream.

Pereira will make history with a victory, becoming the first person in UFC history to hold three belts in three different weight classes, but it won't be an easy task.

 Let’s take a look at the UFC Freedom 250 co-main event, the betting odds and interesting lines to look out for.

UFC Freedom 250 - Ciryl Gane vs Alex Pereira Betting Odds

Alex Pereira to win via TKO/KO (+146)

The former Glory kickboxing world champion, Alex Pereira, is one of the best strikers we’ve ever seen in the UFC. From his middleweight days up to his light heavyweight days, his power seems to stun his opponents and more often than not, separate them from consciousness.

Across his 13 professional MMA wins, 11 have come via knockout. His last five wins have all come via knockout, of which two have come in the first round, two in the second and one in the fourth. Arguably the most impressive of these came last time out against Magomed Anklaev. The Russian was coming off a dominant five-round victory over Pereira and the Brazilian had a lot to prove. He walked into the octagon at UFC 320, marched his opponent down, showed him no respect and dominated. It took just 1:20 for him to knockout Ankalev and regain his title.

Who is to say that he can’t land ‘that’ left hook at The White House and knock out Ciryl Gane?

Ciryl Gane to win via decision (+135)

Ciryl Gane’s activity in recent years hasn’t been amazing. In the past year and a half, he’s competed just once, albeit in impressive fashion. Gane was beating Tom Aspinall in his bid to win the heavyweight belt, however, an ill-timed eye poke rendered Aspinall unable to continue and thus, the fight ended prematurely after just 4:35.

Whenever the big Frenchman has come up against an elite striker, he’s been slightly more risk-averse. When he fought Jairzinho Rozenstruik, he went to a five-round decision. It was a similar case when he faced Alexander Volkov. 

Pereira is that elite striker and naturally, Gane will be tentative, not only due to the man in front of him, but also as a result of the occasion itself.

Gane could utilise his size, speed and agility to dance around the octagon, keep light on his feet and punish Pereira’s lack of experience at heavyweight. Gane could look to close the distance, press Poatan against the fence and make it boring. Will it be pretty? No. Will it allow him to come away with the victory via decision? Most certainly.

Under 3.5 rounds (-175)

If this fight is to be finished by either man, expect it to go early. With a combined 14 finishes, only two have come outside of the first three rounds.

When Alex Pereira first faced Israel Adesanya, he finished him in the fifth round. Khalil Rountree Jr fell to Poatan in the fourth round. Outside of that, all other finishes by Pereira have come in either the first or second round. He’s yet to record a UFC finish in the third round. 

Gane has six UFC finishes, of which none have come past the third round. If Gane goes into the fourth round, it goes the distance. He’s recorded just one first-round finish, two in the second round and three in the third round. 

Don’t expect this one to go late; back under 3.5 rounds.