Alex Pereira is back in the spotlight, gearing up for one of the toughest tests of his career at UFC 320. After a short hiatus, the former light heavyweight king is set to challenge reigning champion Magomed Ankalaev at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The stakes couldn’t be higher: ‘Poatan’ is looking to reclaim the title he lost at UFC 313 earlier this March. That night, the Brazilian started strong, controlling the first round. But as the fight wore on, Ankalaev’s momentum surged, and Pereira seemed off his game.

Magomed Ankalaev capitalized, scoring the biggest win of his UFC career via unanimous decision and launching a 14-fight winning streak that stunned the MMA world. Later, UFC commentator Joe Rogan revealed the hidden factors behind Alex Pereira’s performance. “They say he fought with a broken hand and norovirus against Ankalaev,” Rogan said during a Fight Companion podcast. “He fought with a broken toe before… He was basically fighting on one leg in the first fight.”

Alex Pereira’s coach breaks silence on Joe Rogan’s comments before UFC 320

At the time, Pereira downplayed the injuries, refusing to make excuses. He admitted to dealing with a compromised hand but insisted the loss was on him. Now, less than 15 days out from UFC 320, ‘Poatan’s past setbacks are back in focus. Coach Glover Teixeira recently opened up to Overdogs Brasil’s Renato Moicano about the challenges Pereira faced in his last camp: “I’ll tell you the truth, I think Potan overdid it in the last fight with Ankalaev. He trained less because he got sick in Australia.”

“We went to Australia, he trained, so he had to take it easy a bit, got sick there. We’ve talked about this, right? We’ve talked about it many times. So he wasn’t training properly. When someone is sick, you have to slow down—it doesn’t help. If the guy’s sick, pressing him will make it worse.” Alex Pereira’s time in Australia before UFC 313 included supporting rival-turned-friend Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 312.

That decision to stick around after UFC 313 is highlighted by social media clips of Pereira with global superstar Drake, added fuel to the critics’ fire. UFC veteran Daniel Cormier went as far as to question Pereira’s focus, suggesting the Brazilian was “spreading himself too thin” during a period when Ankalaev was locked in. For a champion used to thriving under chaos, it was a rare moment when the distractions may have cost him.

Even after the fight, Alex Pereira stayed in Australia, including a social media sighting with Drake—a move that drew criticism from UFC veteran Daniel Cormier. Looking ahead to UFC 320, Teixeira confirmed ‘Poatan’ has dialed up his training intensity, but he also cautioned that overtraining remains a risk: “That last week, he trained too much, I think. You know? I think he overtrained. In that last week, we trained more than in any other camp.”

Alex Pereira has been carrying the UFC on his back throughout 2024, pushing through injuries while staying active in the light heavyweight division. The 28-year-old has defended his title at marquee events like UFC 300, 303, and 307, proving not just his dominance but his resilience. For a fighter so young, that’s a punishing schedule. Very few champions in modern UFC history—outside of names like Israel Adesanya—have stayed that active while holding gold.

Ankalaev, meanwhile, has taken the opposite approach: fighting less often, but preparing with relentless focus. That contrast is now part of the intrigue at UFC 320: a volume-driven star who thrives under the spotlight versus a cold, methodical technician who prefers to dismantle opponents quietly, one fight at a time.

UFC 320 analysis: Alex Pereira weighs in on Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Alex Pereira headlines UFC 320, aiming to reclaim his title, while his old rivals, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr., square off on the undercard. Just months ago, ‘Poatan’ TKO’d both top contenders back-to-back before dropping his belt to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, making this fight night a loaded event. Since then, Prochazka and Rountree Jr. have bounced back with decisive wins over common foe Jamahal Hill, setting up a clash that promises fireworks on October 4 in Las Vegas.

The stakes are high, and both fighters are looking to make a statement in front of Alex Pereira’s eyes. ‘Poatan’ has shared his take on the matchup. Across their previous encounters, Pereira has gone four rounds with both Prochazka and Rountree Jr., with Prochazka testing him on the feet and Rountree Jr. When asked who he favors between his former rivals at UFC 320, Pereira told Stake, “It’s hard to say. You know, I think Jiri has really great movement and footwork. Khalil is very good as well, but I think it might be a little complicated for him because of all the movement of Jiri… It could be a tough fight.”

For the UFC, the storyline writes itself. If Pereira beats Ankalaev and reclaims his throne, the winner of Prochazka vs. Rountree Jr. becomes the natural next challenger—setting up a blockbuster 2025. If Ankalaev wins, it marks a changing of the guard, with Dagestan firmly planting its flag in yet another weight class.

Now the question shifts to you, fight fans: who will survive this clash on Alex Pereira’s undercard? Will Prochazka’s footwork control the pace, or can Rountree Jr.’s power and precision steal the night? And in the main event, does Pereira redeem himself—or does Ankalaev close the book on ‘Poatan’s’ reign for good?