Mar 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) prepares to fight Magomed Ankalaev (not pictured) during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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Alex Pereira Breaks Silence After Upset Title Loss To Magomed Ankalaev

Former light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira confirms his quick return to the octagon with changes in his fighting style!

Mar 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) prepares to fight Magomed Ankalaev (not pictured) during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

UFC fans have seen their fair share of shocking upsets over the years. From Matt Serra knocking out Georges St-Pierre to Holly Holm head-kicking Ronda Rousey into oblivion, fans have learned to expect the unexpected. But few could have predicted what unfolded at UFC 313 this past Saturday night.

Alex Pereira, the Brazilian knockout artist who had been steamrolling through competition, found himself on the wrong end of a judges’ decision against Magomed Ankalaev. The Russian fighter outpointed ‘Poatan’ over five rounds in what many described as an uncharacteristically flat performance from the champion.

Pereira had been on an incredible run since moving up to light heavyweight. His highlight-reel knockouts and willingness to step in on short notice had made him one of the UFC’s most valuable stars. He saved both UFC 300 and UFC 303 by agreeing to headline on short notice. This cemented his reputation as a company man.

The 37-year-old seemed nearly unstoppable, and heading into UFC 313, he was looking to break Jon Jones’ record for the least amount of time between four title defenses. Instead, fans witnessed the end of his light heavyweight reign.

Also Read: Dana White Has a 1-Word Reaction to Pereira vs. Ankalaev Rematch Question

Pereira Vows Quick Return And Adjustments

It didn’t take long for Alex Pereira to address his fans after the devastating loss. Just hours after dropping his belt, the former champion took to social media with a video message that showed his resilience.

“That’s it everyone, some marks but I’m good, I’m gonna rest a bit, I’ll be back like I’ve always done. This has already happened before but I’m good. I’m grateful for all your support, for all your love and always supporting me… I’m gonna make some adjustments for the rematch and I’ll be back much better, you can count on it… CHAMA.”

Alex Pereira speaks out after his loss to Magomed Ankalaev:

“I’ll be back, like I’ve always done…

Gonna make some adjustments for the rematch and I’ll be back much better. You can count on it.”

🎥 @AlexPereiraUFC #UFC313 pic.twitter.com/idxMjgRTBW
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 9, 2025

The Brazilian seemed surprisingly upbeat despite the defeat, even mentioning plans to enjoy some pizza with his team and family. He assured fans that the setback was nothing new to him. After all, he has faced adversity before and always found a way to bounce back stronger.

His quick pivot to focusing on redemption rather than dwelling on the loss speaks volumes about his championship mentality. UFC CEO Dana White has already hinted that an immediate rematch is likely in the cards. He told reporters at the post-fight press conference that a second bout between Pereira and Ankalaev will “probably” happen next. This quick turnaround would fit Pereira’s active fighting style, as he mentioned in his octagon interview that he plans to return to training within just two days!

Alex Pereira

Magomed Ankalaev

UFC 313

Zaid Quraishi

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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!