Alex Pereira was one of the most active champions in the UFC.
While Jon Jones once every two years since he won it, Pereira has set the 205-pound gold four times in 16 months.
2024 saw 'Patan' Go 3-0, knockout Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree to improve his legacy and continue his reign.
Pereira became known for 'saving' the UFC, but his frequent activity seemed to take its toll.
From a broken toe before UFC 300 that he trained for a quick return at UFC 303 to a litany of health problems pre-PUC 307, 'Patan' was apparently never at 100 percent.
That led to talking about such issues that play in the defeat of Pereira to magomate Ankalaev on UFC 313 in March, with reports of a hand injury and a fight with the emerging of norovirus.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Don Frye advises Alex Pereira to say no to the UFC if he needs 'free time'
Pereira recently received important advice from the legendary UFC Hall of Famer and MMA Pioneer Don Frye.
During a appearance on Submission Radio, 'The Predator' 'Patan' warned of the risks of fighting due to injuries.
“Well, if you are injured, take your time out and heal.
“That eventually made my career as – t, my career. Come behind it, the promoter doesn't care. They don't care about you. I don't have a Christmas card or birthday card from a promoter ever.
“And I made them all a lot and a lot of money,” Frye added. “I almost like to die in the hospital a few times and nobody ever called me and said,” How are you? I hope you're better. “
In 2022, Frye spoke with Cronkite News that he had between 40 and 50 operations in the course of his MMA career.
The American legend admitted that he should have retired on 15-1 after beating Yoshihiro Takayama at Pride 21 in 2002. Instead, he set 15 times to 2011 and lost eight times.
Frye had his problems with Dana White during his career and even accused the UFC president of 'Ruining the Sport' after retirement in 2012.
Alex Pereira rejected a fast UFC -Ommkeer
Although it apparently does not owe to injuries or a specific desire for peace, Pereira has rejected the chance to make a quick return to the Octagon this year.
After Pereira lost the light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev, 'Poatan' is said to have been offered a rematch just over three months later on UFC 317 on 28 June.
But according to Ariel Helwani, the timeline did not work for the busy Brazilian.
According to what I hear, Magomed Ankalaev was accurate with what he tweeted.
The UFC actually called Alex Pereira for the rematch with Ankalaev on the International Fight Week. pic.twitter.com/kcttdrsone
– Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) 12 May 2025
View tweet
The headlines were then met when Pereira seemed to be a retirement after a disagreement with the UFC – presumably the decision to offer Procazka instead.
But the former kickboker soon stated that his X account was 'hacked', a statement that not everyone believed.