Alex Pereira Reveals Physical Condition in His First Encounter with Ankalaev
UFC’s former champion, Alex Pereira, has revealed that he competed at “40%” of his capacity when he lost the light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev earlier this year. Pereira (12-3) is preparing to face Ankalaev (21-1-1) for the second time at UFC 320, scheduled for October 4th in Las Vegas. The first encounter between the two took place in March at UFC 313, where Ankalaev took the victory by unanimous decision after five rounds.Following that fight, speculation arose about Pereira’s physical condition. UFC commentator Joe Rogan suggested that the fighter had competed with a hand injury. Subsequently, Pereira admitted to having had problems, although he did not specify details.
A week away from the rematch with Ankalaev, Pereira has confirmed that he was not at his best in the first fight.Pereira, 38, is used to fighting despite injuries. In April 2024, he agreed to headline UFC 300 against Jamahal Hill with little preparation time and a broken toe. Two months later, in the title defense against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, he injured his toe again. Pereira, who represents Brazil, is a former champion in two kickboxing and MMA categories, with more than 50 combined professional appearances. The tension between Pereira and Ankalaev, 33, has been increasing in the last weeks leading up to the rematch. Both faced each other this week at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. Pereira accused Ankalaev of speaking ill of him online and then avoiding him in person. Ankalaev has stated that he has lost all respect for the former champion. Ankalaev won the first encounter according to the scorecards of the three judges. Two judges gave him the victory in three of the five rounds, while the third gave him four rounds against one for Pereira.“I think the condition I came into that fight with, honestly, was 40%,” Pereira told CBS Sports through an interpreter. “This time I’ll be much better. Even if I’m at 50% [in the rematch], that 10% will make a big difference. I won’t leave any doubt for anyone.”
Alex Pereira
