Alex
Pereira appears to have ruled himself out of competing again in
a few weeks.
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight king prevailed
at UFC
300, punching out Jamahal
Hill to defend his throne. After the victory, “Poatan”
expressed that he would like to make a short-notice turnaround for
the May 4 pay-per-view event in Rio de Janeiro. On Wednesday,
however, Pereira spoke with Brazilian journalist Laerte Viana,
where he discussed another injury sustained during the bout that
will likely keep him out of action for the near future.
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“I broke the toe of the right foot 15 days before the fight,”
Pereira explained. “It was during my penultimate sparring
[session], so it didn’t affect my preparation at all. The problem
is when it occurs at the beginning of the camp. But during the
fight, I broke my left toe as well, when I kicked his leg the
second time.”
With two broken toes, Pereira believes he would not be medically
cleared, and could risk his health trying to get in the cage with
unhealed broken appendages.
“Unfortunately, with two broken [digits] the possibility [of
competing at UFC 301] is zero,” Pereira lamented. “It would be
risking a career for my personal desire. I’m sure there will be
other opportunities to fight for my Brazilian fans.”
During the fight, photographers caught the moment of “Poatan”
stepping on Hill’s foot while he struck Hill with the fight-ending
left hand at the same time. This was not part of the Brazilian’s
plan.
“I just realized that when I saw the fight later,” the champion
stated. “Sometimes I do that on purpose as a joke with my sparring
partners. But that was not the case during the fight. At that
moment I was looking for the right distance. He was cautious about
my right hand, [so] I feinted a straight punch and threw a cross
with my left hand. Once he didn’t escape, I stepped on his right
foot, but that was not on purpose.”
If he cannot compete at the beginning of May at UFC 301, he would
not mind appearing in August at the UFC Fight Night event in the
United Arab Emirates. The fight card will be held in the
promotion’s favored city during the COVID-19 pandemic of Abu Dhabi
at the Etihad Arena. Should he stick around at 205 pounds, he has
his sights set on former title challenger Magomed
Ankalaev, who suggested they compete at that show.
“I have to talk to Glover
[Teixeira], my managers and my team,” Pereira concluded.
“Glover is more experienced and I always like to hear him. We are
like cockfighters; we are always ready to go. But I have to see
with my teammates, what’s the better decision to take.”