UFC 320 saw Alex Pereira reclaim his light heavyweight title in a highly anticipated rematch against Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira achieved a stunning victory just 80 seconds into the first round, knocking out Ankalaev and avenging his earlier loss from UFC 313.
Injury Concerns After UFC 320
Despite his triumph, Pereira revealed he sustained a foot injury during the fight. He underwent an X-ray in Las Vegas and an MRI in Brazil, which confirmed a fracture. Speaking at a Q&A session in Rio de Janeiro, he acknowledged the uncertainty of his recovery timeline: “I still don’t know what will happen, or how long it will take for me to recover.”
Focus on the White House Fight
Looking ahead, Pereira expressed his interest in the potential fight at the White House event, tentatively scheduled for June 14. While UFC CEO Dana White has yet to confirm the date, Pereira is optimistic about participating. He mentioned, “I think it’s good to focus on this White House [date], it’s something that interests me.”
Potential Opponents
If Pereira is fit to compete, several exciting matchups may await him. Options include a legendary showdown with Jon Jones or transitioning to heavyweight to challenge the reigning champion, Tom Aspinall. Pereira, however, remained non-committal about his next opponent: “I don’t know who’s next. I’m focused on this fight.”
Ankalaev’s Injury and Controversy
During the build-up to their rematch, Ankalaev’s camp claimed he suffered a broken rib prior to the fight. Pereira stated he was unaware of any pre-existing injury and emphasized that the damage Ankalaev sustained likely stemmed from their encounter. “If it was already injured, it hurt it even more,” he added.
Fight Analysis
Pereira’s strategy in the fight included delivering powerful elbows after knocking down Ankalaev. He described the experience as exhilarating: “It was a great sensation. We train hard for that. We want to be in there and give our best.” Pereira’s decisive strikes ultimately led to the referee stopping the contest.
- Event: UFC 320
- Winner: Alex Pereira
- Method: Knockout (80 seconds into Round 1)
- Injury: Foot fracture
- Next Event: Tentatively June 14 at the White House
- Potential Opponents: Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall
As Pereira navigates this recovery period, fans and analysts alike await updates on his potential return to the octagon. The anticipation for his next fight continues to build, especially surrounding the unique White House event opportunity.
