New UFC champ Alex Pereira wants super fights, was going to call out Jon Jones
UFC 320 winner Alex Pereira spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters post-fight after his light heavyweight title victory over Magomed Ankalaev
LAS VEGAS – Alex Pereira believes he suffered a significant injury at UFC 320.
“It’s my foot, and I’m pretty sure it’s broken,” Pereira told reporters through an interpreter during a post-fight news conference.
The light heavyweight title changed hands once again when Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) got revenge on Magomed Ankalaev. “Poatan” finished Ankalaev (21-2-1 MMA, 12-2-1 UFC) in the first round with vicious 12-6 elbows on the ground after rocking him with a big right hand.
It seemed like a flawless performance, yet after celebrating the big moment, Pereira bent down to check on the condition of his feet. Apparently, severe damage was caused while kicking the legs of Ankalaev, a tactic he picked up from a former champion.
“I had a really good strategy that I saw that worked for (Jan) Blachowicz,” Pereira said. “The inside calf kicks were working. I threw a few of those, and then he switched stances and I think I was in the wrong range. I threw another kick to his lead leg, and it landed on the tip of my foot, and I think it’s broken.”
Considering his stone-faced demeanor, it would have been impossible to detect the potential injury to Pereira if he had not checked on his foot. Even watching a replay of the fight, there is no indication that Pereira suffered significant damage. Pereira threw three consecutive kicks: two to the inside calf and a third, which apparently caused the injury, to the lead leg, as he explained.
Pereira arrived at the post-fight news conference in a walking boot.
There are 26 bones in a human foot. Depending on which bone or bones may have fractured, Pereira could be sidelined anywhere from six to 12 weeks, the average recovery time span.
