Imagine stepping into the octagon with a broken rib—would you still fight? That’s the question UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is throwing back at Magomed Ankalaev after their explosive rematch at UFC 320. But here’s where it gets controversial: Pereira isn’t just brushing off Ankalaev’s injury claims—he’s outright scoffing at them, suggesting Ankalaev would’ve quit if he faced the same injuries Pereira has battled throughout his career.
Earlier this month, Pereira delivered a stunning knockout victory over Ankalaev in under two minutes, avenging his first light heavyweight loss just months earlier. The win not only reclaimed Pereira’s spot on the throne but solidified his status as one of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters. Yet, the drama didn’t end there. Shortly after the fight, Ankalaev’s team revealed he had suffered a broken rib during training camp, painting the rematch as an uphill battle. Pereira, however, isn’t buying it.
In a recent appearance on the Connect Cast podcast, Pereira fired back at Ankalaev’s post-fight excuses. ‘I’ve always been injured,’ he stated bluntly. ‘Injuries are just part of the game. Now he’s talking about a broken rib? If he saw the injuries I’ve fought through, he’d feel like trash. He wouldn’t even step back into the octagon—he’d quit!’ Pereira even challenged Ankalaev to compare medical records, daring him to prove he’s faced anything close to what Pereira has endured.
And this is the part most people miss: Pereira’s willingness to fight through pain isn’t just about toughness—it’s about mindset. He’s implying that Ankalaev’s excuses reveal a mental weakness, a topic that’s sure to spark debate among fans. Is Pereira being fair, or is he downplaying the severity of Ankalaev’s injury? Let’s be honest—fighting with a broken rib is no small feat, but Pereira’s argument raises a bigger question: How much should injuries factor into post-fight narratives?
Looking ahead, a trilogy fight between Pereira and Ankalaev isn’t off the table, but it’s not imminent. Ankalaev will likely need at least one win to make his case, while Pereira has teased a potential move to heavyweight to challenge legends like Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones. Meanwhile, the tension between these two fighters shows no signs of cooling down.
So, what do you think? Is Pereira justified in dismissing Ankalaev’s injury claims, or is he being overly harsh? And does fighting through injuries truly separate the greats from the rest? Sound off in the comments—this debate is far from over.
