Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes Magomed Ankalaev’s rib injury wasn’t the main reason for his loss at UFC 320 — suggesting that even at “120 percent,” the result may have been the same.
This past weekend, Ankalaev defended his light heavyweight title against Alex Pereira in their highly anticipated rematch. The fight ended quickly, with Pereira finishing Ankalaev in under 90 seconds to reclaim his belt in spectacular fashion.
After the bout, Ankalaev’s team revealed he had been dealing with a broken rib throughout his training camp. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Daniel Cormier confirmed the injury but downplayed its overall impact on the outcome.
“First off, Magomed Ankalaev did have a rib injury,” Cormier said. “This is not a lie or an excuse. I saw a video of him getting injections into his rib to help him make the fight. But even if he was healthy — I don’t know if the result changes.”
Cormier added that Ankalaev pushed forward despite warnings from people close to him not to fight.
“He wanted to go out there and beat Pereira again because he knew how important it was,” Cormier said. “But even at 120 percent, I don’t know if he would have beaten Pereira that night. Alex came in angry and determined — he fought like a man on a mission.”
Pereira’s Revenge and Future Ambitions
Their first meeting ended in a narrow decision win for Ankalaev, with Pereira claiming afterward that he was only “40 percent” of himself that night. The rematch, however, told a completely different story — Pereira walked him down, landed powerful shots early, and finished the fight in emphatic fashion.
After regaining his title, Pereira made it clear he’s not done yet. While he’s open to defending the belt at 205 pounds, he also has his eyes on a superfight with Jon Jones, one that could define his legacy.
Cormier supports the idea, saying such a fight could cement Pereira’s status as one of the greatest of all time.
“If he beats Jon Jones, Alex Pereira — who’s already considered one of the greatest in such a short time — would almost stand above everyone,” Cormier said.
A Legacy in Motion
At 38, Pereira is still looking to make history. A potential fight with Jon Jones would mark a rare crossover between two of the most decorated fighters in modern UFC history — and could be the bout that truly defines this era of mixed martial arts.
Stay tuned to AthleticFeed.com for more UFC 320 fallout, post-fight reactions, and the latest on Alex Pereira’s next move.