Alex Pereira says that his preparations were hampered ahead of his UFC 313 light heavyweight title defeat to Magomed Ankalaev but he doesn’t regret making the walk to the cage for what was his first loss at 205-pounds.

‘Poatan’ has emerged as one of the biggest box office attractions in the organisation since making his UFC debut in late 2021, swiftly winning a world title at middleweight before becoming the latest entry to the company’s two-division-champ club when he won the vacant 205-pound title in November 2023.

However, his run as light heavyweight champ came to a crashing halt in Las Vegas earlier this month when he was outpointed across five rounds by Russia’s Ankalaev — with Joe Rogan stating on his podcast soon afterwards that he was informed that Pereira fought with a damaged hand and while recovering from norovirus (known to many as the winter vomiting bug).

But speaking to Ariel Helwani (as noted by MMA Fighting) Pereira said that there were no issues with his hands but did acknowledge that his preparation for the fight was not ideal.

“Like I always say, I don’t like to give excuses or take the merit away from the opponent even if I disagree with the decision,” Pereira said via his translator. “Everybody has their issues. I had mine, and maybe he had his problems too, but what I can say is that my hand was fine. But many things happened.”

“That was one of the most complicated fights with everything that happened,” the Brazilian knockout artist added. “I don’t [regret fighting]. I’ve conquered everything I have and have motivated many people, and I tried something that was hard for me. I’ve done similar things before with difficulties of injuries and things like that and it has worked before, and this time it didn’t, but I don’t regret it.”

Pereira also stated that he has his issues with the decision but regardless, he will not step into the cage next with anyone but Ankalaev.

“It’s obvious that I want a rematch with him, and I won’t take any other fight,” Pereira said. “I think I have this right for all the work I’ve done, but we still haven’t talked to the organisation. I’ll be ready. If it’s August, it’s a good date.”