Pereira Reveals: Fought Ankalaev at 40%, Rematch at UFC 320

Alex Pereira Reveals: I Fought at 40% in My Loss to Ankalaev

UFC’s former champion Alex Pereira has surprised fans by confessing that he competed “at 40%” of his capacity in his fight against Magomed Ankalaev, where he lost the light heavyweight title 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. After the initial fight, rumors surfaced about Pereira’s physical condition. UFC commentator Joe Rogan suggested that the fighter had competed with an injured hand. Although Pereira admitted to having problems that night, he did not offer specific details.

A week away from the rematch with Ankalaev, Pereira has confirmed that he was not in full form during their first fight.

I think the physical condition I arrived at that fight with, honestly, was around 40%. 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

At 38 years old, Pereira has experience in fighting despite injuries. In April 2024, he agreed to headline UFC 300 against Jamahal Hill with little notice and a broken finger. The injury worsened two months later in the title defense against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303. Pereira, originally from Brazil, is a former two-category champion in kickboxing and MMA, 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 fighters 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 responded that he has lost all respect for the former champion. In their first encounter, Ankalaev won by unanimous decision, with two judges awarding him three of the five rounds, and a third giving him four rounds against one of Pereira.