Pereira regains light heavyweight title, foot fracture clouds plans

Alex Pereira knocked out Magomed Ankalaev in 80 seconds to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but the celebration came with a costly injury and immediate questions about his next opponent. Pereira swarmed the defending champion from the opening bell, landed a right hand that staggered Ankalaev, followed up with ground strikes and prompted referee Herb Dean to stop the fight, restoring Pereira as a two-time light heavyweight champion and a three-time UFC titleholder.

The quick finish amplified debate over what is next for the 38-year-old Brazilian. Pereira told reporters and fans this week that X-rays and an MRI confirmed a fracture in his foot sustained during the bout. "We have a fracture on my foot, but I still don't know what will happen, or how long it will take for me to recover," he said at a question-and-answer session in Rio de Janeiro, adding that he aims to focus on the UFC White House card currently discussed for June 14, 2026.

Pereira has repeatedly said he wants a heavyweight superfight with Jon Jones at that event. Jones has publicly hinted at a return from retirement and the proposed White House card has been...