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In a shocking turn following his emphatic victory at UFC 320, Alex Pereira revealed that he may have sustained a significant injury during the bout. Despite a dominant performance that saw him reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, the Brazilian powerhouse admitted to reporters that his foot might be broken.
“It’s my foot, and I’m pretty sure it’s broken,” Pereira told reporters through an interpreter during the post-fight press conference.
A victory overshadowed by pain
Alex Pereira, now 13-3 in MMA and 10-2 in the UFC, secured a stunning first-round finish over Magomed Ankalaev (21-2-1 MMA, 12-2-1 UFC). “Poatan” delivered a brutal right hand that rocked Ankalaev, followed by a series of vicious 12-6 elbows on the ground to seal the victory. The performance seemed flawless — until Pereira was seen crouching down moments later, examining his foot in visible discomfort.
What initially looked like a routine post-fight moment turned into a concerning sight when Pereira appeared to limp slightly while celebrating. Later, at the press conference, he arrived wearing a walking boot, confirming the damage was more than superficial.
The kick that changed everything
According to Pereira, the injury occurred during a sequence of leg kicks — a strategy inspired by former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.
“I had a really good strategy that I saw that worked for (Jan) Blachowicz,” Alex Pereira said. “The inside calf kicks were working. I threw a few of those, and then he switched stances and I think I was in the wrong range. I threw another kick to his lead leg, and it landed on the tip of my foot, and I think it’s broken.”
Even when reviewing the fight footage, there was no clear indication of when the injury happened. Pereira’s trademark composure and stoic demeanor masked any visible signs of pain inside the Octagon. But after closer analysis, the injury likely occurred during one of his final kick exchanges before landing the decisive blow.
Possible recovery timeline
With 26 bones in the human foot, the extent of Pereira’s injury remains uncertain. Depending on which bone is fractured, medical experts suggest that recovery could take anywhere between six to twelve weeks. This timeline would potentially sideline the champion for the remainder of the year, though no official update has been provided by the UFC.
Despite the injury scare, Alex Pereira’s dominant showing at UFC 320 reaffirmed his place among the sport’s most dangerous strikers. Even with a potentially broken foot, the Brazilian delivered a masterclass in precision, power, and control — a testament to the warrior spirit that defines “Poatan.”
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