Alex Pereira. Image via: Getty ImagesAlex Pereira has raised fresh doubts about his future in combat sports following the controversial end to his fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250. The former two-division UFC champion suffered a disappointing loss to the French heavyweight at the White House event. However, Pereira believes the fight was affected by several illegal strikes to the back of his head that went unpunished during the contest.The Brazilian star has openly criticized referee Herb Dean for not stepping in during key moments of the fight. Pereira recently revisited the issue after fellow UFC fighter Andre Fili also complained about similar foul shots not being addressed in his own bout. The situation appears to have frustrated Pereira even more, leading him to share a worrying message on social media that suggested he may be reconsidering his future inside the cage.Alex Pereira questions fighting future after controversial UFC Freedom 250 lossPereira shared an Instagram story expressing concern about returning to competition. The Brazilian suggested that the recent incidents in MMA have made him uneasy about continuing to fight. He indicated that he feels he has already achieved everything he needed to accomplish in combat sports and is unsure whether it is worth taking further risks.The defeat to Ciryl Gane was particularly painful because Pereira entered the fight with a chance to make UFC history. A victory would have made him the first fighter in UFC history to capture championship belts in three different weight divisions. Instead, his historic bid ended in controversy after repeated strikes to the back of the head became a major talking point following the event.UFC CEO Dana White later acknowledged Pereira’s concerns. Speaking after the event, White admitted that video footage appeared to show several illegal shots landing during the fight. At the same time, he explained that referees often face difficult decisions because of the fast-paced nature of MMA exchanges and grappling situations.White also stated that he believed Ciryl Gane should have received a warning from referee Herb Dean during the contest. The UFC President further defended Pereira’s reaction, noting that the Brazilian is not known for making excuses after losses. According to White, Pereira has built a reputation as a tough competitor who rarely complains, which is why his concerns should be taken seriously. While he has not officially announced his retirement, his latest comments have fueled speculation that UFC Freedom 250 could have pushed one of the sport’s biggest stars closer to the end of his fighting journey.