Alex Pereira has accused Ciryl Gane of landing multiple illegal strikes that contributed to his defeat during the UFC White House event.

Gane defeated Pereira in the second round of their interim heavyweight title clash on Sunday, ending the Brazilian's hopes of becoming the first UFC three-division champion.

Following a jab that dropped Pereira, Gane unleashed several downward elbows and punches as Pereira struggled to stand, with some landing on the back of his head.

Referee Herb Dean halted the action moments later.

Pereira stated on his YouTube channel that he was attempting to recover when the strikes made it harder to get up.

He added that without those blows he might have been able to continue, noting they were powerful and against the rules.

Pereira described Gane as desperate after landing an unexpected punch and trying to finish regardless.

In an Instagram video, Pereira shared photos showing swelling and bruising on the back of his head.

The former champion mentioned he had warned Dean the day before the Washington DC bout about Gane's striking habits.

Pereira expressed frustration that his concerns were not taken seriously despite Gane's history of questionable tactics such as eye pokes and strikes to the back of the head.

Dean later defended his decision, explaining that only strikes to the nape of the neck or a narrow area down the back of the head are illegal while side strikes are permitted.

Dean noted the rule can be confusing and differs from boxing enforcement standards.

Britain's Tom Aspinall, who previously faced Gane, remarked that numerous illegal elbows appeared to be thrown during the fight.

Aspinall had previously labeled Gane a cheat after his own bout, though the Frenchman maintains he respects the rules.