Written by Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Alex Pereira clarified that the cryptic message where he was allegedly contemplating retirement was in fact posted by a hacker Wednesday afternoon.
A message posted on the X account of former UFC light heavyweight champion “Poatan” read that “I’ve already had thoughts of not fighting anymore” after “things I’ve just heard” left him “disheartened” with the UFC.
Hours later, the Brazilian star said it was not posted by him.
“I’ve received a ton of messages, getting messages from everyone, who saw a post from my Twitter,” Pereira said in Portuguese on a video posted on his Instagram page.
“I didn’t even know about it, I was hacked. It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything, you guys see. But I was hacked and I’ll resolve it. I don’t even know what’s going on. I have a great relationship with UFC. People like to do bad things. That’s that. Chama.”
Pereira hasn’t fought since losing his 205-pound title to Magomed Ankalaev in March, his first defeat since moving up to light heavyweight. A former UFC champion in two weight classes now, “Poatan” has openly said he wants a rematch with Ankalaev, which the Russian champion apparently agrees with.