Every fighter enters the cage with scars, both visible and unseen. For Alex Pereira, UFC 313 was no different. The former light heavyweight champion squared off against Magomed Ankalaev on March 8, but behind the scenes, his preparation was marred by adversity. Rumors swirled that the Brazilian striker fought injured, and now, he has confirmed that he entered the octagon with more than just his opponent to battle.
Pereira’s loss to Ankalaev by unanimous decision left many fans wondering if something was amiss. UFC commentator Joe Rogan fueled speculation, revealing on his podcast that Pereira had been dealing with a hand injury and illness leading up to the fight. On Wednesday, Pereira himself addressed the situation, putting the speculation to rest without making excuses.
A Champion’s Mentality: No Excuses, No Regrets
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Pereira confirmed the injury but made it clear that he refuses to diminish Ankalaev’s victory.
“I’m not trying to take anything away from Ankalaev. Everybody faces challenges heading into a fight,” Pereira stated. “Yes, my hand was not in the best condition, and there were other things, but I chose to fight. That’s on me.”
The Brazilian knockout artist has built a reputation for resilience, fighting through adversity on multiple occasions. He previously competed with a broken toe and a knee injury, yet still managed to claim victory in those bouts. This time, however, the odds were not in his favor.
While Pereira did not go into full detail about the extent of his injuries, he admitted that he considered pulling out of the fight.
“This was one of the toughest fight camps I’ve ever had. There were a lot of things going on behind the scenes,” he revealed. “But I don’t regret stepping into that cage. It’s part of the journey.”
What’s Next for Pereira?
With the belt no longer in his possession, questions arise about Pereira’s next move. Will he seek an immediate rematch against Ankalaev? Or will he take time to fully recover before plotting his next title run?
Despite the setback, Pereira remains optimistic.
“My moment will come again. I will be back,” he promised.
For now, fans can only speculate on what the future holds for one of the UFC’s most dangerous strikers. One thing is certain—when Alex Pereira steps back into the octagon, he’ll be ready for war.
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