Alex Pereira Claims He Fought at ’40 Percent’ Ahead of UFC 320
UPDATE: Former UFC champion Alex Pereira has revealed he fought at only “40 percent” strength during his light heavyweight title loss to Magomed Ankalaev earlier this year. This shocking admission comes just one week before their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 320 on October 4, 2023, in Las Vegas.
In a candid interview with CBS Sports, Pereira, who holds a record of 12-3, admitted to facing significant physical challenges during their first encounter at UFC 313 in March, where Ankalaev won by unanimous decision. “I think the conditioning I was going into that fight with, honestly, I was about 40 percent,” Pereira stated. “I’m going to be much more this time. Even if I’m 50 percent, that 10 percent is going to make such a difference.”
The former champion’s comments highlight the intense preparations leading up to this crucial rematch. Reports had circulated post-fight that Pereira was physically compromised, with UFC commentator Joe Rogan suggesting he fought with an injured hand. Pereira confirmed he faced issues that night but withheld specific details until now.
As the rematch approaches, the rivalry between Pereira and Ankalaev has intensified. The two fighters confronted each other at the UFC’s Performance Institute this week, with Pereira accusing Ankalaev of speaking about him online yet avoiding him in person. Ankalaev, who has stated he has “lost all respect” for Pereira, remains confident after their previous victory, where he dominated the scorecards, winning three of the five rounds according to two judges.
Pereira’s resilience is well-documented; he famously headlined UFC 300 against Jamahal Hill on short notice in April 2024, despite suffering from a broken toe. He reinjured himself in a title defense against Jirí Prochazka at UFC 303 just two months later.
With both fighters focused on proving their dominance, the stakes could not be higher for the rematch at UFC 320. Fans are eager to see if a healthier Pereira can reclaim his title or if Ankalaev will solidify his status as the champion once more.
Stay tuned for live updates as the event approaches, and prepare for a showdown that promises to deliver fireworks in the octagon!
