Alex Pereira's Triumph in UFC 307

In an electrifying night in Salt Lake City, Utah, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex "Poatan" Pereira delivered a crushing fourth-round knockout against veteran Khalil Rountree Jr., marking his third successful title defense of 2024. However, behind this triumphant performance lies an extraordinary story of resilience and struggle during his training camp.

Challenges Faced During Training Camp

In a shocking revelation following the fight, Pereira disclosed that his lead-up to UFC 307 was fraught with a multitude of serious issues that almost led him to withdraw from the title fight entirely. It was not just the physical challenges in the Octagon that tested him; Pereira faced an uphill battle every step of the way.

“Only my team knows how tough this camp was. I went through so many things that no one really knows about,” he stated during the post-fight press conference. The Brazilian fighter detailed a slew of obstacles, including severe injuries, a draining illness, and even significant bureaucratic hurdles related to his visa.

Visa Complications and Health Struggles

Just a month prior, Pereira encountered visa complications while in Brazil, making daily trips to the consulate in hopes of getting his passport back in time. “Finally, I managed to get back to the US after a week in Connecticut, but during that time, I was on antibiotics battling a fever and sore throat,” he explained.

Injuries and Decision to Continue

Adding to his challenges, Pereira sustained a rib injury reminiscent of a previous setback from a year prior. While still grappling with throat issues, he found himself back in the doctor's office for another set of antibiotics. As if that weren’t enough, he also continued to deal with a toe injury sustained in his last title fight against Jamahal Hill.

“I went through so much, including the ligament in my toe that flared up again,” he revealed. The culmination of these setbacks led Pereira and his coach, Plinio Cruz, to seriously contemplate pulling out of the fight just weeks before the event. “I told my manager, ‘Bro, I am in bad shape,’” Pereira explained.

A Well-Deserved Break