Back in March, Alex Pereira lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev after five exhausting rounds, a fight many believed he entered far from full health. Now, just seven months later, their rematch at UFC 320 flipped that narrative on its head. Pereira needed only 80 seconds to reclaim his belt, flattening Ankalaev with a right hand and a ruthless finishing sequence. But what should have been a moment of celebration was shadowed by visuals of Poatan constantly tending to his right foot. Was it injured? Well, Dana White has an update on that. 

Aaron Bronsteter, MMA Broadcaster/Reporter for @Sportsnet, took to X to share, “White says that he believes Alex broke or dislocated his toe (or toes).” What further added weight to the news was a clip of Pereira backstage as he celebrated his triumph with bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, who defeated Cory Sandhagen in a five-round thriller. It featured the Brazilian phenom wearing a boot that is normally worn to keep the injured or fractured toes firm. 

Any more speculation was further put to rest by Pereira himself. During the UFC 320 Post-Fight Press Conference, Pereira said, “It’s my foot, and I’m pretty sure it’s broken.” Then he explained how and when exactly during the fight he thinks it may have happened. 

“I had a really good strategy that I saw that worked for [Jan] Blachowicz. The inside calf kicks were working…. I threw a few of those and then he switched stances. 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 foo,t and I think it’s broken.” Yet, this isn’t the first time the newly crowned two-time light heavyweight title holder has had toe trouble.

He famously broke a right (pinky) toe about two weeks before UFC 300 during a sparring session, even posting grisly footage of the incident and the team’s attempts to “push it back” before the fight. Dana White confirmed the broken toe after the event, and Pereira later said the injury happened roughly 15 days out from UFC 300; he also reported injuring the other foot during the fight itself when he threw a kick. Since then he’s had recurring toe/ligament trouble (a toe ligament issue resurfaced before later fights), so the walking-boot sighting after UFC 320 may just have rekindled those memories.

Fresh off reclaiming his light heavyweight crown, Alex Pereira already has his sights set on something bigger— literally.

Countdown to the next confrontation

Speaking at the UFC 320 post-fight presser, Pereira brushed aside potential contenders like Carlos Ulberg or Khamzat Chimaev, saying, “Thanks for congratulating me, but all I want is a superfight. I want to fight at heavyweight.” For months, he’s flirted with the idea of chasing a third belt, and now, with his 205-pound title back, that dream has resurfaced stronger than ever.

Interestingly, Pereira revealed he originally planned to call out Jon Jones for a superfight at the upcoming UFC White House card — an unprecedented event that’s already drawing major buzz. But out of respect for Jones, who’s mourning the loss of his brother Arthur, Pereira decided to hold back. “With all due respect… I was going to ask for Jon Jones at the White House, but with everything that happened, it’s not the right time,” he said. Still, he didn’t hide his true intentions: “I want a superfight. It would be at the White House against Jon Jones. That’s a superfight.”

Whether that showdown materializes remains uncertain. UFC CEO Dana White has publicly questioned Jones’s reliability and seems wary of booking him for such a high-profile card. He’s also hinted that Pereira may need to defend his light heavyweight title before chasing heavyweight glory. But “Poatan” isn’t fazed. Confident in his pace and durability, he insists he can handle both divisions if needed — and if not, he’s ready for anyone next. “Whoever is the best,” he said, calm as ever, the glint of his next conquest already in his eyes.