Former middleweight and lightweight heavyweight champion Alex Pereira misplaced the 205-pound championship to Magomed Ankalaev by way of unanimous determination at UFC 313 in March. Regardless of not having the belt, Pereira nonetheless sees himself because the champion.
Since arriving within the UFC in November 2021, Pereira has fought 3 times a 12 months, even stepping up on brief discover to save lots of combat playing cards. Whereas he is solely been three months faraway from his final combat, followers are clamoring for him to combat once more.
“I type of spoiled the followers a little bit bit giving them fights back-to-back, which was at all times good for me, however now I am simply going to take a traditional break letting my physique relaxation earlier than I can gear up once more,” Pereira informed The Schmo.
The Brazilian would not plan to return till the autumn, however he’s in talks with the combat promotion.
“‘Proper now, I took a while to get better my physique, to heal. I will Brazil proper now, preserve therapeutic a little bit bit, spend a while with my household. We’re in talks with the UFC. We’re gearing up. Let’s have a look at one thing round October,” he mentioned. “I do not know the place the combat goes to be however for positive it’ll be an enormous present.”
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Pereira would love a rematch with Ankalaev and would not really feel like he misplaced their first encounter. He sees himself as nonetheless the champion and envisions profitable the title again.
“I see that on my thoughts. I see that second in my thoughts. I have been ready for that,” Pereira mentioned. “I’ve corrected some errors, some changes that I needed to do for the earlier combat. I do not know if I will win. I do not know if I will lose. I need to win, and I will work for it.”
“I am undoubtedly hungry. It was a combat that many thought that I gained. I see myself as nonetheless the champ as a result of they manner folks deal with me and take a look at me,” Pereira continued.
“I’ve undoubtedly fought more durable opponents. The scenario itself on that day, the circumstances, made him a tough opponent. However I’ve undoubtedly fought folks manner tougher than him.”
