Pereira's sister, Aline, misses out on UFC contract

Key points

• Aline Pereira lost a unanimous decision to Smilla Sundell on Dana White's Contender Series.
• Pereira's MMA record now stands at three wins and three losses since turning pro in 2022.
• Dana White defended UFC pay after Sean Strickland said his heart is no longer in MMA.

Aline Pereira, sister of former UFC two-division champion Alex Pereira, has missed out on a UFC contract after losing on Dana White's Contender Series. The Brazilian was beaten by unanimous decision by Sweden's Smilla Sundell.

Pereira, 36, had won on the Ronda Rousey v Gina Carano undercard on Netflix in May, but the article says she was overwhelmed by Sundell's pressure and volume of punches. Her defeat leaves her with three wins and three losses on her MMA record since turning professional in 2022.

White unsure over Sundell

UFC president Dana White said after the fight that he was unsure about offering 21-year-old Sundell a contract despite her victory, because of her inexperience, before being convinced by his team.

Sundell said she was scared but believes everything happens for a reason and that she is really happy it worked out.

I was scared but I believe everything happens for a reason and I'm really happy it worked out.

— Smilla Sundell

White responds to Strickland

White also responded to Sean Strickland's claim that UFC fighters are not paid enough, pointing to the middleweight champion signing a new contract in May. Last week, Strickland said his heart is not in MMA any more and that he would prefer a move to boxing because there is more money to be made.

White said Strickland had just signed a new contract in May, adding that the situation would be different if he had been under the same contract for a year or two.