Former UFC -light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira was asked about the claims of Joe Rogan that he was heavily compromised in entering UFC 313.
Alex Pereira's history-making UFC-light heavyweight Reign came to an abrupt conclusion earlier this month by Magomed Ankalaev on UFC 313. After three successful title defenses in 2024, Pereira suffered his first light heavyweight defeat by unanimous decision while Ankalaev continued his undefined stripe.
It was a disappointing setback for Pereira after he became the fastest to earn several UFC titles in the history of the promotion. For the first time since a loss for Israel Adesanya on UFC 287, Pereira left the Octagon without a victory.
After the loss of Pereira, many wondered what went wrong against Ankalaev on UFC 313 and which led to his low output in the cage. Joe Rogan unveiled several problems during a recent episode of his podcast that could have influenced Pereira's Vechtkamp.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Alex Pereira knew the air on rumors that he was sick and injured before the loss of UFC 313
Rogan claimed that Pereira suffered a broken hand and an attack by Norovirus that almost completely forced him from UFC 313. But faithful to his ruthless activity in his career, Pereira went ahead and stopped almost Ankalaev's undefeated run.
After the claims from Rogan made waves online, Pereira appealed to them in his first interview since UFC 313.
In a recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani show, Pereira responded to Rogan's claims.
“I try not to take anything away from Ankalaev, many people try to do things like that, I am not this kind of man,” said Pereira. “Everyone goes because of their own problems, I am sure he also had his own problems. My hand is fine, but there are many things that have happened, but I don't use them as an apology.
“I don't try to use this as a lever for something. My moment will come when I win the belt, and then I will reveal everything … yes, [I considered withdrawing]… I don't regret it because I have motivated many people. And when I pushed things, I could overcome it. It often worked, but this time it wasn't my moment. No regrets. “
This is not the first time that Pereira has wounded in his UFC career. Prior to the recent title fights against Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr., Pereira suffered from several foot injuries that other athletes could have forced to withdraw from the fighting.
But despite his ailments, Pereira headed three cards in 2024, including UFC 300 opposite Jamahal Hill.
Alex Pereira's former rival labeled a 'fraud' by Magomed Ankalaev
Fortunately for Pereira, he has the chance to take his time and to heal for a potential rematch with Ankalaev. Almost immediately after UFC 313, Ankalaev agreed to grant a rematch in Pereira, and the two parties agreed verbally into individual reports on social media.
Another name to look at the UFC Light Heavyweight Title Picture is PrOCHAZKA, who bounced back from the loss to Pereira with an impressive finish of Hill on UFC 311. Prochazka and Ankalaev have ruined users in a 'Fraud' Fraet.
But despite the victory of Procazka, Pereira will probably get the chance to run back with Ankalaev this year. In the interview with Helwani, Pereira and his coach Plinio Cruz threw for a rematch to take place somewhere in August.
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