The countdown to UFC 320 carries more weight than just a title storyline. Alex Pereira enters his rematch with Magomed Ankalaev not only looking to reclaim his belt but also to prove that the version fans witnessed in March was not the real him. His performance at UFC 313 raised eyebrows, and now ‘Poatan’ has peeled back the curtain on ageing and the toll of staying relentlessly active, something that might have finally caught up with him.
For most of 2024, Alex Pereira seemed untouchable. He fought three times, defending his title against Jamahal Hill, Jiří Procházka, and Khalil Rountree Jr., setting a record for the quickest time to three light heavyweight defenses in a single year. However, while this level of activity is exciting for supporters, it may have masked the gradual wear and tear on his body, especially at 38 years of age.
‘Poatan’ was a shadow of his normal explosive self when he faced Magomed Ankalaev in March 2025, and the Russian took advantage of it with a grinding game plan to win the belt. Pereira told ESPN MMA this week that the warning flags were always present; it was only he who kept on ignoring them. But why? Well, that’s because it’s how he has always been.
He told ESPN MMA via his translator, “I’ve always been doing something. I just felt like I needed to stay active. But it was a cumulative effect. My body started feeling it. I started aging. And maybe these seven months between these two fights was the best thing I needed to do.” For the first time in his career, the Brazilian admitted that his desire to keep moving forward may have become his greatest disadvantage.
That’s not all, as he doubled down on that reflection when recalling his first fight with Ankalaev. “But I don’t want to take any credit away from him. Maybe he had his own stuff going on. I can only compare it to how I feel now, and I feel amazing. I had a great training camp, stayed in the US, and focused; no more trips. This fight is different.”
The former champion emphasized that, while he was “about 40%” in March, even a minor bump in health and preparation might significantly change the outcome this time around. And it’s not just him who believes so, as another UFC fighter has agreed that with this much required time off, ‘Poatan’ will now be able to get back his title from Magomed Ankalaev.
UFC fighter believes Alex Pereira will crush Magomed Ankalaev
Alex Pereira‘s rematch with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 has the MMA world on edge, and other fighters aren’t holding back their thoughts. Many believed ‘Poatan’ was compromised during their first meeting in March, and now insiders say his time off and serious preparation might drastically affect the outcome. Recovery and smart training, they argue, are what could turn the tide in Pereira’s favor.
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, a striking specialist and expert fight analyst, feels Pereira’s previous constant activity wore him out. “Your body is just too worn down; they’re not all there. They didn’t look the same. If you notice, Alex just didn’t look like the Alex of old, and I do believe he was too consistent.” Thompson said.
Thompson further told Bloody Elbow that taking time to recover and reset will allow the Brazilian to return sharper and stronger than before. “You need to give your body time to heal, and I think it’s going to be all Alex this time. I think he’s going to go out there, and he’s gonna crush him.” He explicitly stated that this bout will be completely different, and fans will finally get to see the ‘Poatan’ they wanted in the first bout.