Alex Pereira suffers broken foot in win over Magomed Ankalaev; opponent entered with rib injury, per report

Las Vegas, NV – October 11, 2025 – UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira is facing a significant recovery period after confirming a broken foot sustained during his rapid victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on October 6. The dramatic revelation emerged days after the main event, further complicated by reports suggesting his opponent, Ankalaev, entered the Octagon with a pre-existing rib injury. The double blow casts a shadow over what was an otherwise dominant performance by Pereira and raises questions about the circumstances surrounding Ankalaev’s preparation.

Pereira, known as "Poatan," delivered a stunning performance, dispatching Ankalaev in a mere 80 seconds in their highly anticipated rematch. However, the celebratory atmosphere quickly gave way to concern as the Brazilian champion was observed limping out of the Octagon, expressing immediate apprehension about his foot. His suspicions were later confirmed following a series of medical examinations.

"I did an X-Ray in Las Vegas and an MRI here, and we have a fracture on my foot," Pereira stated during a Q&A session in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, October 10, ahead of a UFC Fight Night event. The champion, however, remained uncertain about the full extent of the injury and the precise recovery timeline. "I still don’t know what will happen, or how long it will take for me to recover," he added, as reported by MMA Fighting.

The incident occurred early in the first round as Pereira unleashed his signature powerful leg kicks. The champion recounted the moment of injury at the UFC 320 post-fight press conference, where he appeared wearing a protective boot. "It’s my foot," Pereira told reporters through a Portuguese interpreter. "I’m pretty sure it’s broken. 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. And I threw another kick to his lead leg, and it landed on the tip of my foot. I think it’s broken." This account suggests a miscalculation in range during a powerful strike, leading to impact on a vulnerable part of his foot.

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According to the Cleveland Clinic, a broken foot typically requires a healing period of four to six weeks, though more severe fractures can extend this to up to 12 weeks. Crucially for a professional athlete like Pereira, the bone may take up to six months post-healing to fully support the rigorous weight-bearing demands of high-level physical activity such as mixed martial arts training and competition. This medical assessment indicates that in a worst-case scenario, "Poatan" could be sidelined from competitive action until April of the following year.

Such a recovery timeline would significantly impact Pereira’s immediate fighting future. Despite the injury, the champion has continued to vocalize his interest in a potential "White House fight" against UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, a dream superfight that would pit two of the sport’s most dominant figures against each other. "I think it’s good to focus on this White House [date], it’s something that interests me," Pereira remarked. "I think I’ll focus on this." If his recovery extends until April, a fight later in the year, such as the proposed White House event, would afford him approximately eight to nine weeks of dedicated training once he is fully cleared for full-contact activities. This would be a tight turnaround for a bout of such magnitude, highlighting the champion’s ambition despite his physical setback.

Alex Pereira’s ascent in the UFC has been meteoric. A former two-division GLORY Kickboxing champion, Pereira transitioned to MMA and quickly rose through the ranks, capturing both the UFC Middleweight and Light Heavyweight titles in record time. His devastating striking power and unique approach to the stand-up game have made him one of the most exciting and formidable champions in the sport. His record, now boasting 13 wins against 2 losses, underscores his dominance, with the victory over Ankalaev marking his second consecutive win over the Dagestani contender, following a decision victory in their first encounter at UFC 301. The light heavyweight division, home to elite contenders like Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Jan Blachowicz, will now await Pereira’s return, potentially leading to an interim title picture should his recovery extend beyond typical championship timelines.

While Pereira’s injury dominated the immediate post-fight narrative, the situation surrounding Magomed Ankalaev has added another layer of intrigue. Ali Abdelaziz, Ankalaev’s long-time manager and a prominent figure in MMA management, offered cryptic remarks shortly after the fight, hinting at significant challenges faced by his fighter during camp. "There are a lot of things happened with Ankalaev in his camp," Abdelaziz posted on Instagram. "But, it’s for him to talk about. Not me. And if I need to talk about it, I will talk about it. If it was up to me, he should never have fought due to some things. But he’s a grown man, he makes his own decisions, and he lives by his actions." These comments immediately sparked speculation about Ankalaev’s physical condition leading into the high-stakes rematch.

The speculation solidified into concrete reports on Monday, October 9, when multiple sources indicated that Ankalaev had fought Pereira with a broken rib. Combat sports journalist Léo Guimaraes amplified these claims by posting a video on X (formerly Twitter) depicting Ankalaev undergoing rib treatment approximately 20 days prior to UFC 320. Anonymous sources, corroborating with MMA Fighting, further elaborated on the severity of the injury, stating that Ankalaev was barely able to spar in the weeks leading up to the championship bout.

A broken rib, while varying in severity, can profoundly impact an athlete’s ability to train and perform. The core muscles are essential for striking, grappling, and even basic movement in MMA. A compromised ribcage would not only limit rotational power and defensive capabilities but also inflict significant pain, making high-intensity sparring and conditioning extremely challenging. For a fighter like Ankalaev, known for his Sambo background, powerful grappling, and precise striking, such an injury would be debilitating, hindering his ability to execute his game plan against a dangerous striker like Pereira.

Ankalaev, who boasts a professional record of 18 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, including a controversial draw for the light heavyweight title against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282, is considered one of the division’s top contenders. His disciplined, technical style makes him a threat to any opponent, but a pre-existing injury would undoubtedly compromise his ability to perform at his peak. The fact that he accepted the fight despite such a significant setback speaks to his determination and the high stakes involved in a championship rematch.

On Monday, following the reports of his injury, Ankalaev addressed his loss on Instagram, acknowledging the defeat but refraining from disclosing any specific injury details. His post offered a reflection on the fight but maintained silence on the pre-fight physical challenges, leaving the full story of his compromised preparation to be pieced together by external reports and his manager’s initial hints.

The aftermath of UFC 320 thus presents a complex narrative of resilience, injury, and the often-hidden physical toll of elite-level mixed martial arts. While Alex Pereira embarks on a recovery journey with his championship intact, Magomed Ankalaev faces questions about his decision to compete while injured and his immediate future in a highly competitive division. Both fighters, in their own ways, exemplify the extreme demands and sacrifices inherent in the pursuit of UFC gold.