Alex Pereira has spoken out for the first time since dropping his UFC light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev.
Although he prevented Ankalaev’s takedowns, Pereira couldn’t match Ankalaev in the clinch and suffered a unanimous decision defeat at UFC 313.
The loss meant Pereira’s hopes of a future blockbuster with Jon Jones have come to an abrupt end for now, with Ankalaev claiming his first title in Dana White’s promotion.
“That’s it everyone. Some marks, but I’m good,” Pereira said on social media.
“[I’m] gonna rest a bit. I’ll be back like I’ve always done. This has already happened, but I’m good.
“I’m grateful for all your support, for all your love [and] always supporting me.
“I’m receiving so many messages of great encouragement. I’m here with my people: my family, my team, my children.
“Everyone’s here. Everyone’s here with me. I’m gonna have some pizza. That’s that, life continues.
“[I’m] gonna make some adjustments for the rematch and I’ll be back much better. You can count on it.
“All good everyone. Never give up on your dreams. Chama.”
Pereira, 37, was undefeated at light heavyweight before coming into his main event bout with Ankalaev.
‘Poatan’ had bounced back from losing the UFC middleweight title to Israel Adesanya to go on a tear at 205 pounds.
The Brazilian finished 2024 having defended the heavyweight title three three times, knocking out the likes of Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill.
However, the defeat at UFC 313 leaves him in a position of needing to beat Ankalaev in a rematch to pursue a future in the heavyweight division.
Speaking after the Las Vegas card, UFC CEO White said that he scored the bout to Ankalaev and thinks Pereira will ‘probably’ get an immediate rematch.
“I expected a lot more shooting. I expected a lot more exchanges,” White told the media at UFC 313.
“Probably,” he responded when asked if MMA fans can expect a rematch.
Ankalaev also took to the mic during UFC 313’s post-fight press conference, criticising Pereira for ‘running’ away from him while offering the ex-champ a rematch.
UFC 313 results
A new champion
Magomed Ankalaev (c) defeats Alex Pereira by unanimous decision
Justin Gaethje defeats Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision
Ignacio Bahamondes defeats Jalin Turned by first-round submission
Amanda Lemos defeats Iasmin Lucindo by unanimous decision
Mauricio Ruffy defeats King Green by first-round knockout
“He was running for 20 minutes…I’m happy for a rematch. Maybe in a rematch he can fight for real,” the 32-year-old said.
He later added: “Everybody thought that Alex Pereira was the most exciting striker… and you saw the way he fought against me.
It’s not just dependent on me. It also depends on the dance partner.”
UFC 313 also witnessed Justin Gaethje defeat Rafael Fiziev in the co-main event, while Mauricio Ruffy scored one of the greatest knockouts of all time against King Green.
