Pereira Reveals He Faced Ankalaev at Only 40 Percent Capacity

Basio badr

ago 2 hours

Pereira Reveals He Faced Ankalaev at Only 40 Percent Capacity

Expert Analysis: Alex Pereira Prepares for High-Stakes UFC 320 Rematch in Las Vegas

Alex Pereira Aims for Redemption in UFC 320 Rematch

Former UFC champion Alex Pereira is gearing up for a critical rematch against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on October 4 in Las Vegas. After losing his light heavyweight title to Ankalaev earlier this year, Pereira is determined to prove himself in this high-stakes encounter.

Reflecting on UFC 313: Pereira’s Challenges

The initial meeting between the two fighters took place at UFC 313, where Ankalaev secured a unanimous decision victory over Pereira. Speculation post-fight suggested that Pereira, who disclosed he fought at just “40%,” was not at full strength, fueling talk of physical issues and a possible hand injury. Pereira has now acknowledged he was not in top condition for the bout, which might have impacted the outcome.

Conditioning and Preparation: Key Focus for Pereira

In an interview with CBS Sports, Pereira, through an interpreter, revealed his plans to be significantly better prepared for the upcoming fight. “I think the conditioning I was going into that fight with, honestly, I was about 40%,” Pereira confessed. He is optimistic that even a slight improvement in his physical readiness will make a crucial difference in the rematch.

Pereira’s Resilience in Facing Adversity

Pereira, aged 38, is known for his resilience, having fought through injuries on multiple occasions. In April 2024, he fought against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, despite a broken toe, and reinjured it during a subsequent match with Jirí Prochazka at UFC 303. With over 50 professional appearances, Pereira’s career in MMA and kickboxing highlights his fighting spirit.

Mounting Tension Between Pereira and Ankalaev

The tension between Pereira and Ankalaev has intensified ahead of their second matchup. Their latest confrontation at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas underscored their ongoing rivalry. Pereira has accused Ankalaev of engaging in online hostility while avoiding face-to-face confrontation, a claim that infuriated Ankalaev, leading to a loss of respect between the fighters.

Ankalaev’s Perspective: Confidence from Previous Victory

Revisiting their first encounter, Ankalaev achieved a clear victory on all three judges’ scorecards. While two judges awarded him three out of five rounds, one judge scored four rounds in favor of Ankalaev compared to Pereira’s single round win.

Event: UFC 320
Date: October 4, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Main Event: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

The upcoming fight promises to be a thrilling showdown where Alex Pereira seeks to reclaim his title and Magomed Ankalaev looks to solidify his supremacy in the light heavyweight division. Keep following Emegypt for live updates and expert analysis on UFC 320’s electrifying action.