Morning Report: Joe Rogan claims Alex Pereira fought with broken hand, illness at UFC 313

Joe Rogan has a concept as to why Alex Pereira struggled in his title struggle loss at UFC 313.

“Poatan” dropped his mild heavyweight belt to Magomed Ankalaev following a listless five-round efficiency that noticed Ankalaev management nearly all of the motion. The famed knockout energy of Pereira was nowhere to be seen as he noticed his streak of three-straight profitable defenses snapped.

Throughout a UFC London Battle Companion episode of The Joe Rogan Expertise, Rogan claims he heard Pereira was hindered by a hand harm and an sickness.

“They are saying he fought with a damaged hand and norovirus towards Ankalaev,” Rogan mentioned in a passing remark.

Norovirus is an an infection that impacts the gastrointestinal system, sometimes inflicting vomiting, diarrhea, and abdomen discomfort. Pereira has not spoken publicly about any maladies that will have been affecting him going into the March 8 pay-per-view and Rogan didn’t supply any follow-up, although he did speculate as as to if Pereira would possibly simply be preventing too usually after profitable three championship bouts in 2024.

“He fought with a damaged toe earlier than,” Rogan mentioned. “When he beat Jiri Prochazka, he had a f*cked-up knee. Bear in mind when he went and he tumbled on the finish of the struggle, that’s as a result of his knee wouldn’t assist him. He was principally preventing on one leg within the first struggle. Then he will get surgical procedure, I assume it’s in all probability meniscus, as a result of he got here again fairly fast.”

Ankalaev entered his title problem on a 13-fight unbeaten streak and used a tactical placing strategy to defuse Pereira, scoring probably the most damaging punch of the bout within the second spherical. He went on to assert a unanimous choice and the UFC mild heavyweight title.

Rogan gave full credit score to Ankalaev for his profitable efficiency.

“Ankalaev and Pereira, second spherical [Pereira] will get rocked after which he’s sort of not the identical after that,” Rogan mentioned. “Far more defensive after that. I noticed breakdown of Ankalaev’s standup towards Pereira, it was very excessive stage. Particularly taking away the entrance hand, he’s doing this round movement together with his hand and taking away angles.”

It’s unclear what’s subsequent for Pereira, the previous two-division champion who has rapidly turn out to be one of many UFC’s hottest athletes. Presumably, a rematch awaits him if he needs it, however mild heavyweight has no scarcity of present contenders for Ankalaev and Pereira has teased a transfer to heavyweight.

For Rogan’s cash, he’s betting Ankalaev-Pereira 2 occurs instantly.

“They’re going to run it again, I’m certain,” Rogan mentioned. “That’s the massive struggle in that division and if Pereira can are available in wholesome. However he’s one other one, he’s too energetic.”

Verdict. Cain Velasquez receives five-year jail sentence (together with time served) in tried homicide trial.

Disgrace. Joe Rogan gained’t be heading as much as Canada for UFC 315.

Ow. Verbal submission through finger caught in cage? Simply one other day in fight sports activities.

Comfortable trails. Paddy Pimblett exhibits his appreciation for shut good friend Molly McCann following her retirement at UFC London.

MMA Combating reacts to the Cain Velasques verdict.

Tom Aspinall in London.

Aljamain Sterling speculates on the way forward for fellow former champ Leon Edwards.

Alexander Volkanovski struggle camp.

Behind the scenes of a wild night time at ONE Championship.

Extreme MMA. The Extreme MMA crew break down all of the motion in London from UFC and Cage Warriors.

One of the best knockouts of the week.

So that you wish to be a fighter?

Give the individuals what they need.

Shut one.

One to look at.

D’awwww a Child Cub!

The authorized portion of the Cain Velasquez saga is over for now and it’s clear not everyone seems to be happy with the decision. The place do you all stand on it?

Additionally, apologies prematurely for no Morning Report on Wednesday, can be again Thursday!

When you discover one thing you’d prefer to see within the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and tell us about it. Additionally, observe MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Fb.