Alex Pereira shocked fans on May 7, 2025, with an X post claiming UFC was playing with him and hinting at retirement. Hours later, he said his account was breached and he remained on good terms with UFC.
Daniel Cormier, a former UFC champion, challenged Pereira’s story, arguing the hack excuse was too convenient. He suggested Pereira posted the message himself after a dispute with UFC.
“Pereira is a liar, Pereira did not get hacked,” Cormier insisted on ESPN’s Good Guy/Bad Guy in May 2025. “Pereira might have tweeted something and then somebody called him was like, ‘Yo, calm down, let’s chill.’ I don’t believe the hacked thing, bro. It’s too convenient. It was too specific. I’m saying it publicly. My thought is … while Hunter was [in Dagestan] to meet Islam, guess who else Rizvan Magomedov manages? Ankalaev! He also manages Ankalaev! So while [Hunter] is in Dagestan speaking with Islam about the [Ilia Topuria] fight — remember, we still ain’t got a main event for International Fight Week — that’s a short period away, so [Hunter] goes, ‘What about you, Ankalaev, are you available?’ Ankalaev is like, ‘Okay, I could fight,’” he said
Pereira, a former two-division UFC champion, lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev via unanimous decision at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025. The loss ended his reign after three defenses in 2024.
His X post came amid talks of a rematch with Ankalaev, who won the belt with a strategy of clinching and counterstrikes. UFC CEO Dana White said a second bout was likely.
Ankalaev added fuel on May 8, 2025, claiming he hacked Pereira’s account and taunted him for a rematch. He wrote, “It was me, I hacked his account, don’t worry, Alex, I’m waiting for you”.
Cormier’s Theory on UFC Title Fight Talks
Cormier speculated that Pereira’s post stemmed from UFC matchmaker Hunter Campbell’s talks in Dagestan.
“And then [Hunter] goes to Pereira and goes, ‘Alex, are you available?’ And Alex is like, ‘Well, it’s a short time to get ready.’ Right? ‘Okay, Alex, we’re gonna give somebody else this title fight.’ Alex gets mad, goes to the internet, puts that up there, then gets a call going, ‘Hey, man…’ That’s my thought, that’s what happened. So yes, while Hunter was in Dagestan, I think it was a two-for-one call. I think he spoke to Magomed and I he spoke to Islam. I don’t know this as fact, but I know this game enough to put that together and feel pretty confidently to say it on ESPN,” Cormier said, linking Pereira’s post to UFC talks in Dagestan. via MMAMania
He theorized Campbell asked Pereira about a quick rematch, but Pereira balked at the short timeline. Cormier believed this led to Pereira’s angry post, followed by a call to calm down.
Pereira’s 12-3 record includes knockouts over Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree, but his UFC 313 performance drew criticism for low output. Studies show clinching can stifle strikers like Pereira.
Ankalaev’s team accused Pereira of greasing to avoid takedowns, a claim dismissed by officials. The bad blood suggests a heated rematch if booked.
Pereira vowed to adjust for a second fight, saying he’d return stronger. He denied excuses, despite reports of a broken hand and illness at UFC 313.
Cormier’s theory hinges on UFC’s need for a main event at International Fight Week in July 2025. No fight is confirmed, and Campbell’s talks remain unverified.
