Alex Pereira will not be keeping the same pace to activity to kick off his second UFC light heavyweight title reign as he did in the first.
Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) could be out of action until mid-2026 after confirming a fracture in his left foot stemming from his 80-second TKO of Magomed Ankalaev (21-2-1 MMA, 12-2-1 UFC) this month at UFC 320. He had fears that a mistimed leg kick in the brief bout with Ankalaev had caused serious damage, and after getting medical testing, it’s been confirmed.
“I did an X-Ray in Las Vegas and an MRI here and we have a fracture on my foot, but I still don’t know what will happen, or how long it will take for me to recover,” Pereira said at a Q&A prior to Friday’s UFC Fight Night 261 ceremonial weigh-ins (HT: MMA Fighting). “I think it’s good to focus on this White House, it’s something that interests me. I think I’ll focus on this.”
Pereira revealed a plan to call out Jon Jones for a heavyweight showdown at the UFC White House event in June following his UFC 320 victory, but he wasn’t adamant about it after Jones was still reeling from news of the tragic death of his brother, Arthur.
Pereira said he’s not sure who he next opponent will be, especially since his recovery timeline from the foot injury is still unclear.
What is not unclear to Pereira, however, is that he is superior to Ankalaev. He isn’t fond of the rib injury narrative that has come out on the side of the former champion in the aftermath of UFC 320.
“I can’t know, but if it was already injured, it hurt it even more,” Pereira said. “You can’t give excuses. I had a thousand excuses to say, but waited to say when we were about to fight again. They’re already giving away (excuses) to maybe take away my merits, I don’t know.”
