Former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira admitted his earlier tweet criticizing the UFC came from frustration, not hacking.
Pereira stirred headlines earlier this year when he posted on social media expressing anger about his title standing. After losing his belt to Magomed Ankalaev, Pereira requested a rematch but believed he was being overlooked in favour of Jiri Prochazka. That frustration led him to post online rants, which he quickly deleted, later claiming his account had been hacked. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Pereira clarified the truth behind the tweet.
“A little bit was miscommunication, because Alex found out through social media and stuff like that,” Pereira’s coach and translator, Plinio Cruz, said on his behalf. “So he was upset, that’s why he sent the [tweet], but he regretted it. He was wrong because he didn’t know the talks that were going on. It was kind of a miscommunication between camp, manager, and the UFC. Not the UFC’s fault.”
“100 percent it was lack of communication,” Cruz added. “It was a little bit impulsive from him. He acted early because he didn’t talk to our manager or find out from Hunter [Campbell]. He saw stuff online and felt hurt because he was promised the next title shot. Instead of more mutual communication between camp, Hunter, and everyone, he reacted. But now, 100 percent, it’s all straightened out.”
Pereira admitted he acted impulsively after hearing rumours that champion Magomed Ankalaev would face Prochazka instead of giving him a rematch. In the end, the speculation proved false as Pereira is scheduled to fight Ankalaev at UFC 320.
“Honestly, after the fight, it was expressed to the UFC that Alex had to heal a few injuries and take some time,” Cruz said. “He fought back-to-back multiple times last year. He needed a little break. It was promised that he would be the next title challenger. The whole thing with Ankalaev saying he didn’t want to take the fight, Alex knew he was going to fight regardless, in August or October.
“Compared to other people, he actually did the normal thing. Some take a year, some take two years. But people got used to him fighting so often that it feels like a long time. This is a normal span for a fighter at his level. It was very good for him to take his time and recharge.”
Pereira confirmed that his relationship with UFC brass has since been repaired.
