Alex Pereira Seeks to Reclaim His Title
The former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is determined to get his belt back after his title reign came to an abrupt end at UFC 313 this month, where he faced Magomed Ankalaev. The match concluded with Ankalaev winning by unanimous decision, marking Pereira’s fourth title defense in under a year.
Pereira Reflects on His Performance
In his first interview following UFC 313 on Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show”, Pereira admitted that he didn’t perform at his best but believes he did enough to secure a victory. “It definitely was not my best performance,” he said with the help of his translator and coach, Plinio Cruz. “It wasn’t an on day for me.” He mentioned taking time after the fight to rest and reflect on the outcome.
Judging Controversy and Fight Analysis
Pereira and Cruz maintain that Pereira won the first, third, and fifth rounds against Ankalaev, despite the unanimous decision favoring Ankalaev. While Pereira achieved notable success in defending against all of Ankalaev’s 12 takedown attempts, his striking output was noticeably lower than usual, which he attributes to the constant threat of being taken down.
Pereira Addresses Accusations
Following the bout, Ankalaev’s coaches accused Pereira of using grease for the fight, which he vehemently denies. “I absolutely didn’t put anything on my body,” Pereira stated. “It sounds like excuses for not executing their game plan.” He stressed that Ankalaev’s inability to complete any takedowns was more about his own skill than any external factors.
Injuries and Future Aspirations
This loss marked Pereira’s first defeat as a light heavyweight in the UFC since he moved up in weight after losing the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya. With whispers regarding injuries circulating, Pereira confirmed he faced challenges but refrained from using these issues as excuses. “I had my problems, but I don’t want to make excuses,” he said, alluding to the tough preparation leading to the fight.
Next Steps for Pereira
Despite the challenges, Pereira is looking forward to getting back into the octagon, with a potential rematch against Ankalaev on the horizon. He noted that August could be a suitable date for the fight, indicating his readiness to sign if an official contract is offered. “I feel that I have enough game to do whatever I want with this guy,” he said about a rematch.
Reflecting on His Career
Pereira’s MMA journey has been filled with significant achievements, having claimed titles quickly and facing high-caliber opponents. As he considers his career trajectory, he contemplates whether he’ll continue fighting past 40. “I would like to, but I don’t know,” he admitted, emphasizing the need for self-evaluation and growth after each loss. “If it was my choice, I wouldn’t have defended the belt after this fight. I would have aimed for a heavyweight bout or a boxing match.”
