Alex Pereira calls out Daniel Cormier and UFC for ‘pushing agenda’ to make Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit

Pereira said the promotion, and specifically former champion‑turned‑analyst Daniel Cormier, were manufacturing support for a heavyweight showdown between champion Ciryl Gane and challenger Josh Hokit at the upcoming UFC 334 event. He described the effort as an “agenda” driven by manipulation, claiming the organization used influencers to shape fan perception. The story was picked up by a cluster of MMA‑focused outlets. Sherdog ran a piece titled “Alex Pereira accuses UFC of manufacturing support for Gane‑Hokit,” while BJPenn.com and Bloody Elbow published similarly worded reports.

MMA Mania and MMA Fighting added details about alleged involvement by UFC president Dana White, and Yahoo Sports highlighted the claim that Cormier was being used as a promotional tool. MMA Sucka reported that Hokit responded directly to Pereira’s comments ahead of his own fight. The controversy touches on the broader dynamics of fight booking in the sport. Daniel Cormier, now a color commentator, frequently endorses matchups on broadcast platforms, and his name carries weight with the UFC’s fan base.

Pereira’s criticism therefore strikes at a perceived overlap between commentary and promotional influence, a topic that has surfaced repeatedly in recent years. Observers will be watching for an official response from UFC president Dana White and from Cormier himself. Upcoming UFC 334 press conferences and the organization’s media releases may address whether the alleged “agenda” will affect the final fight card. Further coverage from the same outlets—Sherdog, MMA Fighting, and others—will likely track any changes to the Gane‑Hokit matchup or additional statements from the parties involved.