Fans Shocked as Video Reveals Magomed Ankalaev Having Shattered Ribs Before Alex Pereira Fight 

Former 205lbs kingpin Magomed Ankalaev came into the fight against Alex Pereira with a rib injury picked up 20 days before the UFC 320.

Fans Shocked as Video Reveals Magomed Ankalaev Having Shattered Ribs Before Alex Pereira Fight 

Magomed Ankalaev was not at one hundred percent going into the fight with Alex Pereira (via X)

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Alex Pereira made quick work of Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 320, securing a stunning TKO victory in just 80 seconds. Despite entering the fight as the underdog, the Brazilian delivered a striking masterclass, dismantling the Russian with ruthless precision. It was a statement performance from ‘Poatan,’ though reports later suggested that Ankalaev wasn’t in peak condition on fight night.

Their first meeting at UFC 313 in March told a very different story. Back then, Pereira struggled to handle Ankalaev’s relentless pressure, spending most of the fight on the back foot and unable to find his rhythm. Afterward, Pereira admitted he wasn’t at full strength and claimed he was operating at only 40 percent.

Ahead of the rematch, however, it was Ankalaev who appeared to be compromised. A viral video surfaced online showing the Russian being examined in a hospital for a rib injury before the fight. Ironically, during the final ground-and-pound sequence, Pereira landed several heavy 12-6 elbows to that same area, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight.

Before the fight, both Pereira and Ankalaev exchanged a series of heated verbal attacks, fueling their ongoing rivalry. Following his dominant victory, the new 205lbs kingpin mocked Ankalaev and his manager, accusing them of posting trash talk online to provoke drama. The Brazilian further stated that a manager should never interfere in fighter rivalries since they lack the experience of competing professionally.

In response, Ali Abdelaziz clarified that Ankalaev approved every social media post and shouldn’t have offended Pereira personally. He further revealed that he advised Ankalaev not to compete at UFC 320, but the determined fighter insisted on entering the Octagon despite warnings. Reports now suggest that Ankalaev’s rib injury might explain why his team initially urged him to withdraw from the fight.

After the defeat, the Dagestani humbly accepted the outcome, refusing to make excuses and vowing to return stronger. The arena erupted in cheers as Pereira celebrated his TKO victory, while Ankalaev faced loud boos from the disappointed crowd. Many fans doubted the legitimacy of Ankalaev’s rib injury, accusing him of fabricating excuses to justify the loss.

Fight fans react to Magomed Ankalaev’s injury update following loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 320

Alex Pereira has cemented his legacy as one of the most celebrated fighters in recent UFC history through dominant performances. His explosive striking, fearless attitude, and ability to overcome top contenders have earned him massive global respect and admiration. Fans around the world passionately hoped to see Pereira win UFC told for a third time and continue his reign of electrifying knockouts.

Alex Pereira beats Magomed Ankalaev via TKO
Alex Pereira beats Magomed Ankalaev via TKO (via X)

Following the fight, Dana White expressed his excitement over Pereira’s victory, praising him as one of the easiest fighters to work with. However, this didn’t stop the CEO from rejecting Pereira’s offer to potentially move up to the heavyweight division. Analysts and fans alike applauded Pereira’s dominant performance, with even his former rival Jiri Prochazka offering heartfelt admiration.

The Czech fighter appeared emotional, nearly tearing up while witnessing Pereira dismantle Ankalaev with power inside the cage. Prochazka later admitted he wanted Ankalaev to lose due to their online rivalry and his team’s disrespectful trash talk. Nevertheless, here are some reactions from Ankalaev’s recent update about suffering a broken rib before the title rematch at UFC 320.

As expected, fans reacted with mixed emotions after seeing the viral video of Ankalaev allegedly suffering from a rib injury. Some praised the Russian fighter’s toughness and dedication, commending him for stepping into the octagon instead of withdrawing.

Others criticized Ankalaev for allegedly making excuses, insisting that true sportsmanship means accepting defeat without blaming injuries or circumstances. Several fans even questioned the timing of the footage, speculating Pereira’s strikes might have caused the rib damage during the battle. Nevertheless, all these assumptions have certainly developed into drama in the MMA community.

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