Rumors of Alex Pereira’s retirement have been greatly exaggerated.
That’s the message “Poatan” sent to fans via a new interview with UFC Brazil, where the Brazilian ex-champ denied Magomed Ankalaev’s claims that he was done fighting.
“We’ll definitely be talking about my next fight soon,” Pereira said through a translator. “I don’t have a specific date yet, but we already have an idea. I took this time off to rest, because I worked hard in 2024. I think my body got tired, I had some injuries, so I decided to take it easy, more on the recovery side, and now I’m coming back.”
“To come back [the right way]: firm and strong, to go after my belt again,” he concluded.
Alex Pereira was the UFC’s workhorse through 2023 and 2024, stepping up numerous times to headline events on late notice. When the promotion needed a draw at the top of an important card, there was Pereira to say “Chama.”
2025 is a little different. Pereira did not say “Chama” when the UFC asked him to rematch Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 217 on short notice — and wisely so. “Poatan” lost the belt to “Big Ank” in March. Rushing back for a rematch with so much at stake just seemed silly.
The UFC was in a tight spot headliner-wise for the June card, and they proposed Ankalaev vs. Jiri Prochazka instead. That led to a social media post from Pereira threatening retirement over the UFC’s disrespect. He’d later claim his account was hacked, but few believed that.
Few believed it when Ankalaev later claimed Pereira really was retired, either. It’s just more tweet taunting from “Big Ank.” But for the record, “Poatan” is still out there and he’s still hungry to get his belt back.
He didnt fight for 2 months he must be retired.
Da fuck?
After fighting more frequently than anyone else on the roster. As a champion where most champions fight 1-2 times a year anymore.
I’m sure he could use at least 3 months of rest if not more