“It was hard for me to watch that fight and score it. The Alex that stepped into the cage that night wasn’t the same Alex who fought me.” UFC light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree Jr. recently joined the chorus of MMA fans and pundits who felt something was off during Alex Pereira’s title fight against Magomed Ankalaev. Speaking with MMA Today, ‘The War Horse’ reflected on the Brazilian’s lackluster performance, contrasting it with the fiery version of “Poatan” he faced at UFC 307.
Khalil Rountree Jr. and Alex Pereira’s showdown last year was an all-out war, fueled by tension that carried into fight night. But according to Rountree, the ‘Poatan’ who faced Magomed Ankalaev looked uncharacteristically flat. “Lazy” was the word used by many observers to describe the Brazilian. Although he stuffed every takedown attempt, the Brazilian’s striking seemed off-tempo, and he lacked the strategic sharpness fans had come to expect.
Ultimately, the Russian capitalized, out-striking Alex Pereira and handing him a disappointing decision loss — one that also marked the end of his championship reign. Rountree’s comments didn’t go unnoticed. Magomed Ankalaev caught wind of them and clapped back on X via Red Corner MMA, mocking Rountree’s version of events with a sharp retort: “Khalil bum tree… he wasn’t in the front row like he said—he was in the third row.”
Khalil bum tree it was not first row like he said he was the third row
— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) April 20, 2025
While Magomed Ankalaev rightfully earned his win — and Alex Pereira gave him full credit — the story might have more layers. In a post-fight revelation that stunned fans, UFC commentator Joe Rogan disclosed that ‘Poatan’ had fought with a broken hand and was battling norovirus on the night of UFC 313. Though Pereira never made excuses, he did admit it was one of the most “complicated” camps he’s ever endured.
Despite the setbacks, Alex Pereira holds no regrets. He’s already gearing up for a comeback, with a potential rematch against the Russian rumored for August — a bout both men are reportedly open to. But before that happens, a former UFC champion has stepped forward with what he believes is the real reason for the Brazilian’s downfall. So, what exactly does he think went wrong? Let’s find out.
What does the former champ believe truly led to Alex Pereira’s defeat at UFC 313?
After a decade of dominating the kickboxing world, Alex Pereira made his UFC debut in 2021 at the age of 34, despite having limited MMA experience. Knowing his window of opportunity was short, ‘Poatan’ wasted no time in becoming one of the UFC’s busiest fighters. In fact, he ranked as the second-most active fighter last year, only behind Kevin Holland. His remarkable achievement included defending his title three times in just seven months, a pace that most champions would shy away from. Typically, fighters compete only once or twice a year, but Pereira shattered expectations, taking on all challengers with impressive flair.
However, even Alex Pereira’s relentless drive couldn’t withstand the intensity of Magomed Ankalaev, who brought a level of pressure akin to fellow Dagestani fighters like Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Former bantamweight champion reflected this Aljamain Sterling, who weighed in on the Brazilian’s demanding schedule during a discussion on his YouTube channel.
“Pereira fights way too often,” Sterling noted. “Three title defenses in seven months is madness. And it’s not like his fights were easy wins. You could say Jamahal Hill was low on damage, but in the Jiri [Procházka] fight, he took significant punishment. The Khalil Rountree fight was no less intense. After these battles, he jumped right back into training, sometimes within one or two weeks. On top of that, the amount of sparring he’s doing… it’s a surefire way to burn out.”
What do you think of Sterling’s perspective? Can Alex Pereira make a comeback in his rematch with Magomed Ankalaev and reclaim his title? Share your thoughts below.
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