Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Alex Pereira Embodies The Champion’s Heart, Refuses Injury Excuse For Title Loss Against Magomed Ankalaev!

Alex Pereira refuses to make excuses despite fighting with injury after his title loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313!

Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Alex Pereira’s journey epitomizes the warrior narrative perfectly. From a small town in Brazil to becoming a two-division champion, his path has been anything but ordinary. Before conquering UFC championships, Pereira was a celebrated kickboxer with 40 professional fights, bringing a unique blend of striking prowess and mental toughness to the octagon.

When Magomed Ankalaev ended Pereira’s light heavyweight title reign at UFC 313, many expected excuses. Instead, Pereira delivered a masterclass in championship mentality. Despite whispers about potential injuries and an alleged virus symptoms, he refused to diminish Ankalaev’s victory. His transparency and accountability is refreshing in a sport often marred by post-fight drama.

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Alex Pereira’s Refusal To Diminish Magomed Ankalaev’s Victory

Pereira acknowledged his “off day” at UFC 313. However, he simultaneously highlighted his impressive takedown defense against Ankalaev’s wrestling threat. Furthermore, when asked about the hand injury, he refused to make this the reason for his loss.

“I’m not going to take anything from Ankalaev. Many people try to do that type of thing. I’m not that type of guy. Everybody goes through problems. I’m sure he had his own problems too. I had mine. My hand is fine but it did happen with a lot of things, but I don’t want to use that as an excuse. I don’t want to make excuses or use this as leverage for anything. My moment is going to come to win the belt [back], then I’ll disclose anything for you guys.”

Alex Pereira refused to use his hand injury as an excuse for his #UFC313 loss 😤 #HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/9BeDVzVs18
— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) March 26, 2025

At 37, when many fighters consider retirement, he is plotting his comeback. The rematch with Ankalaev (potentially in August) isn’t just a fight, it’s a statement of continued ambition. He is already thinking beyond this loss, potentially eyeing heavyweight or even boxing opportunities.

What makes Pereira’s approach truly compelling is his philosophical outlook. Losses aren’t endpoints but opportunities for growth. He speaks about reevaluating not just his training, but his entire life after significant challenges. This holistic approach separates great athletes from legendary ones, and it is no doubt where Pereira lands.

UFC CEO Dana White has agreed to an immediate rematch. Pereira will look to up his training and cover all the weak points that were seen in the first fight. Ankalaev will be doiing so as well. They have spent 25 minutes in the cage with each other, and now, they now what works and what doesn’t against each other. The rematch is going to be a fun fight to watch!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Alex Pereira

Magomed Ankalaev

UFC 313

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!