Former two-weight champion, Alex Pereira has opened up on a reported hand fracture suffered forward of his UFC 313 title battle loss earlier this month, claiming the setback “affected” numerous his preparation for his grudge battle with Magomed Ankalaev.
Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, misplaced his mild heavyweight title earlier this month in a long-anticipated title pairing with surging Russian star, Ankalaev, discovering himself on the improper aspect of a controversial unanimous choice loss.
And within the time since, the Sao Paulo star has been closely linked with a direct rematch towards the Makhackala native, who claims he has accepted a proposal fielded by the group to battle the previous at an occasion in August.
Nonetheless, over the weekend, studies from UFC color-commentator, Joe Rogan claimed that Alex Pereira had entered his title battle coping with each a hand fracture, in addition to a bout of norovirus.
Alex Pereira feedback on rumors of hand harm pre-UFC 313
And addressing these claims throughout an interview with Ariel Helwani for Uncrowned this night, Pereira admitted that whereas his hand is okay now, it “affected” a lot of his preparation for a UFC 313 comeback.
“My hand is fine, but it did affect a lot of things,” Alex Pereira mentioned via his translator and coach, Plinio Cruz. “I don’t wanna make excuses… I don’t wanna use this as leverage for anything. This was one of the more complicated fight camps that has ever happened… But I do not regret fighting. Like I said, I’ve conquered a lot.”
Alex Pereira shares that he contemplated not combating at UFC 313:
“My hand is fine, but it did affect a lot of things… I don’t wanna make excuses… I don’t wanna use this as leverage for anything. This was one of the more complicated fight camps that has ever happened… But… pic.twitter.com/2Njlu4tuHy
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 26, 2025
Nonetheless, regardless of claiming he accepted to battle Pereira as quickly as August, newly-minted champion, Ankalaev claimed if the Brazilian was not prepared for that date — he would as an alternative tackle the following out there contender.
“Joe Rogan mentioned his team said that Alex (Pereira) fought with a broken hand and Norovirus, when fighters step in the cage nobody is 100%,” Magomed Ankalaev’s official X account posted. “I was offered a rematch with him in August and I said yes, but if he is not ready I will fight whoever is next it doesn’t matter.”
Joe Rogan talked about his staff mentioned that Alex fought with a damaged hand and Norovirus, when fighters step within the cage no person is 100%.
I used to be supplied a rematch with him in August and I mentioned sure, but when he isn’t prepared I’ll battle whoever is subsequent it doesn’t matter.
— Muhammad large ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) March 25, 2025
