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The Fight No One Saw Coming: Did Alex Pereira Battle Magomed Ankalaev With a Broken Hand and Norovirus?

In the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), there are tough fighters, and then there are legends who push beyond the limits of human endurance. Alex Pereira has long been known as a warrior, but if recent claims are true, his fight against Magomed Ankalaev may have been one of the most grueling and mysterious battles in UFC history.

According to Joe Rogan, Pereira stepped into the octagon against Ankalaev with a broken hand and norovirus—a brutal combination that would have sidelined most fighters. Yet, Pereira still fought, refusing to back down.

But how much truth is there to this claim? Did Pereira really enter one of the most dangerous fights of his career while battling a serious illness and a broken bone? And if so, what does this say about his legacy in the sport?

Let’s break down what really happened and why this could be one of the greatest untold stories in UFC history.

The Shocking Revelation: Joe Rogan’s Statement Shakes the MMA World

“They Say He Fought With a Broken Hand and Norovirus!”

The claim first surfaced on The Joe Rogan Experience, where Rogan—one of the most respected voices in MMA—dropped a bombshell revelation.

“They say he fought with a broken hand and norovirus against Ankalaev,” Rogan stated.

The MMA world erupted.

Fighting with one of these conditions would already be a nightmare. A broken hand makes striking almost impossible, turning every punch into searing pain. Norovirus, on the other hand, can leave a person completely drained, dehydrated, and physically weak.

Yet, according to these reports, Pereira endured both at the same time.

If true, this changes everything about how we view that fight.

Did Pereira hide his injuries from the UFC?
How did he manage to fight at an elite level under those conditions?
Did Ankalaev know about his opponent’s condition?

And most importantly—why didn’t Pereira pull out?

Why Would Pereira Fight Injured?

For most fighters, stepping into the octagon with a severe illness and a broken bone would be career suicide. The risks are enormous. A fighter’s timing, power, and endurance all suffer, and one mistake against someone as dangerous as Ankalaev could mean getting knocked out or seriously injured.

So why did Pereira take that risk?

There are a few possible explanations:

A Warrior’s Mentality – Pereira has never been the type to back down from a fight. If he believed he could still win, he wouldn’t pull out, no matter the pain.
Financial and Contractual Obligations – Fighters train for months and rely on fight purses to make a living. Canceling a fight could mean losing a massive payday.
Reputation and Legacy – Pereira has built his name on fearlessness. Walking away from a fight, even with legitimate medical reasons, could have damaged his legacy as one of the toughest strikers in the sport.

If these claims are accurate, Pereira’s decision to fight that night could be one of the most extreme displays of toughness the UFC has ever seen.

But how did the fight actually play out?

Breaking Down the Fight: What Really Happened in the Cage?

The Ankalaev Challenge: A Nightmare Matchup

Facing Magomed Ankalaev under normal circumstances is already a terrifying task.

Ankalaev is a powerful, well-rounded fighter with devastating knockout ability and an elite grappling game. His wrestling-heavy approach is designed to smother and exhaust strikers, forcing them into deep waters where they can be dominated on the ground.

For a fighter like Pereira, who thrives in a striking battle, Ankalaev was one of the worst possible matchups.

Now, imagine fighting him with one hand broken and your body completely drained from a virus.

Despite these rumored handicaps, Pereira still managed to put up a fight. The bout wasn’t a one-sided beatdown—it was a war.

Pereira landed significant strikes early, showing his signature precision and power.
Ankalaev’s wrestling came into play, forcing Pereira to defend constant takedown attempts.
The fight went to the later rounds, where Pereira’s conditioning was put to the ultimate test.

If he truly was battling a broken hand and norovirus, the fact that he even made it to the final bell is beyond remarkable.

So, why didn’t we know about these injuries before?

Was This A Cover-Up? The Mystery Deepens

Why Didn’t the UFC or Pereira Reveal the Injury?

Injuries in MMA are nothing new, but fighting with a broken hand and norovirus is nearly unheard of. Normally, fighters reveal their injuries after a loss, explaining why they underperformed.

Yet, Pereira remained silent.

There are a few possible reasons why this information only surfaced later:

UFC Medical Protocols – If the UFC knew about these conditions, they likely wouldn’t have allowed the fight to happen. Pereira may have hidden the injury to ensure he didn’t get pulled from the card.
No Excuses Policy – Some fighters refuse to make excuses, even when they have legitimate reasons. Pereira, known for his stoicism, may have chosen to stay silent rather than appear weak.
Protecting Future Fights – If Pereira had openly admitted to these injuries, it could have affected his next fight’s negotiations or made opponents target his weaknesses.

But now that the secret is out, it raises serious questions about fighter safety and the lengths some warriors will go to just to step inside the octagon.

What This Means for Pereira’s Legacy

A Testament to His Warrior Spirit

If Joe Rogan’s claims are true, then Pereira’s fight against Ankalaev just became legendary.

Very few fighters in history have stepped into a high-stakes battle while dealing with both serious injury and illness.

Some of the sport’s toughest competitors—like Michael Bisping fighting with one eye or Khabib Nurmagomedov competing with a broken toe and the flu—have shown similar levels of grit.

But Pereira’s case might be even more extreme.

What’s Next for Pereira?

If Pereira truly fought Ankalaev under these conditions, it raises a huge question:

What happens when we see him at full strength?

Will he demand a rematch with Ankalaev?
Will he move back up to middleweight for another championship run?
Or will this experience push him toward even bigger fights, possibly against a name like Jon Jones or Israel Adesanya?

One thing is clear: Pereira’s toughness is now legendary.

Final Verdict: Did Pereira Really Fight With a Broken Hand and Norovirus?

At this point, we have no official confirmation from Pereira or the UFC.

But if the rumors are true, his performance against Ankalaev may be one of the most insane moments in MMA history.

Fighting injured is one thing. Fighting with a broken hand and a debilitating illness against one of the most dangerous fighters in the division? That’s something entirely different.

So, did Alex Pereira truly endure the impossible that night?

Only time will tell. But one thing is certain:

If this is true, Pereira just cemented himself as one of the toughest fighters to ever step into the octagon.