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MMA·June 11, 2026 09:20 PM ET

Anthony Smith Details Confidence in Alex Pereira for UFC White House Card

Smith praises Pereira's striking "education" for HW debut.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 121 min read
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Anthony Smith is most confident in Alex Pereira out of anyone on the Freedom 250 card: "Alex Pereira doesn't cut people

What happened: UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith shared his analysis of Alex Pereira’s transition to the heavyweight division for the historic Freedom 250 event. Smith emphasized Pereira’s unique striking rhythm, noting that while the Brazilian may appear hittable, his timing and distance management make him one of the most sophisticated strikers in the sport.

Why it matters: Pereira is attempting to make history by becoming the first fighter to win championships in three separate weight classes. Anthony Smith, who has been closely documenting the buildup to the White House card, suggests that Pereira's elite kickboxing pedigree will be the deciding factor against natural heavyweight Ciryl Gane.

By the numbers: Alex Pereira: 13-3-0 record, 85% KO/TKO rate, 5.16 strikes/min. Ciryl Gane: 13-2-0 record, 81" reach, 5.29 strikes/min.

What to watch: The historic UFC Freedom 250 card will be broadcast live from the White House South Lawn this Sunday on Paramount+.

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