BREAKING: UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has confirmed he suffered a fractured left foot following his stunning victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 last weekend in Las Vegas. Pereira, who reclaimed his title by knocking out Ankalaev in just 80 seconds, is now setting his sights on a potential fight at the UFC’s highly anticipated White House event scheduled for June 14.
Pereira, aged 38, revealed the injury during a public appearance earlier this week in Rio de Janeiro, stating, “I got an X-ray in Vegas and then I did an MRI [in Brazil]. It showed a fracture in my foot, but I still don’t know what’s going to happen or how long the recovery will take.” Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about returning to the octagon within a 8-month recovery window.
This latest development adds urgency to Pereira’s career, especially after losing his title to Ankalaev in March. The champion’s swift knockout victory at UFC 320 has reignited excitement about his future, particularly a potential showdown with former heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Pereira had planned to call out Jones post-fight but opted for a moment of silence for Jones’s brother, Arthur Jones, who recently passed away.
Jones, who retired earlier this year, has announced intentions to return to compete at the White House event, making a potential clash with Pereira highly anticipated. As Pereira looks to recover, he has several contenders on the radar, including Jiří Procházka and Carlos Ulberg for a title defense, or possibly moving up to heavyweight to challenge the winner of the upcoming title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane.
Fans and analysts alike are abuzz with speculation about Pereira’s next move, emphasizing the emotional stakes involved as he aims to solidify his legacy as a champion. As developments unfold, the UFC community is keenly watching how Pereira’s recovery progresses and what it means for his future in the sport.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.