UPDATE: UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has confirmed he suffered a fractured left foot during his title fight last weekend, but he remains focused on a potential fight at the UFC’s White House event on June 14, 2024.
Pereira (13-3) reclaimed his championship by knocking out Magomed Ankalaev (21-2-1) in just 80 seconds at UFC 320 in Las Vegas. This decisive victory came just months after he lost the title to Ankalaev in March through a five-round decision. However, the celebration was cut short as he was seen in a walking boot immediately after the fight.
In a public appearance this week in Rio de Janeiro, Pereira revealed the extent of his injury, 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. I think it’s good to focus on this fight [at the White House]. Now, that’s something that interests me.”
The 38-year-old champion is optimistic about his recovery timeline, having previously returned from injuries in a similar timeframe. Pereira’s injury was confirmed by medical professionals, creating uncertainty around his immediate future in the octagon.
Initially, Pereira planned to call out former heavyweight champion Jon Jones after his victory, but instead, he honored the memory of Jones’s older brother, Arthur Jones, who recently passed away. Pereira and Jones have expressed interest in a matchup, and Jones, who retired earlier this year, has announced a comeback for the White House event.
As Pereira looks ahead, multiple options for his next challenge remain on the table. These include a title defense against top contenders like Jiří Procházka or Carlos Ulberg, or a move up to heavyweight to face the winner of the upcoming title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane.
UFC fans are eager to see how Pereira’s recovery unfolds and whether he can make a triumphant return in June. The stakes are high as the UFC gears up for a historic event at the White House, which promises to attract significant attention in the sports community.
Stay tuned for more updates as Pereira’s situation develops, and fans await his next steps in the octagon.
