Teammate and Joe Rogan Say Alex Pereira Entered First Ankalaev Fight Sick and Injured
The accounts have not been corroborated by medical documentation.
Overview
- UFC lightweight Mauricio Ruffy said Pereira had a cracked shin before UFC 313 and "could barely walk," speaking in an interview with Laerte Viana.
- Joe Rogan stated Pereira was "sick as a dog" during that camp, suggested norovirus, and said the champion carried a badly hurt left hand.
- Ankalaev won their March meeting by decision, while Pereira reclaimed the light heavyweight title with an 80-second TKO in the UFC 320 rematch.
- Pereira exited the rematch with a right foot injury and is expected to be sidelined for a time, according to the reports.
- Pereira has expressed interest in a Jon Jones superfight tied to a proposed 2026 White House event, as UFC leadership signals caution on an immediate move to heavyweight.