Joe Rogan claims Alex Pereira fought injured and ill

Joe Rogan has made a surprising statement about Alex Pereira’s health during his recent fight at UFC 313. Pereira lost his title to Magomed Ankalaev in early March, and there has been controversy surrounding the match. After the fight, Ankalaev’s team accused Pereira of cheating by greasing his body to avoid takedowns. This claim came after Pereira, known for his striking ability, only threw 11 head strikes in the entire bout. Rogan expressed concerns about Pereira's performance, describing it as "uncharacteristic." His commentary partner, Jon Anik, agreed, noting that Pereira did not seem like himself even during his entrance to the octagon. Recently, Rogan alleged that Pereira fought with a broken hand and norovirus. He pointed out that Pereira had previously fought while injured, mentioning a broken toe and a knee issue during his title run. Although this explanation could clarify Pereira's poor performance, it's uncertain how reliable Rogan's statements are. Pereira had been very active in 2024 and won the Fighter of the Year award despite battling injuries. Now, Ankalaev has announced plans for a rematch against Pereira in August. Pereira remains hopeful to regain his light heavyweight title.