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Joe Rogan’s Theory on Alex Pereira’s UFC 313 Loss: Altitude Struggles May Have Derailed “Poatan”
In the aftermath of UFC 313, everyone’s asking the same question: What happened to Alex Pereira? The usually dominant “Poatan” looked surprisingly off his game as he surrendered his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev in a performance that left fans and analysts scratching their heads.
Joe Rogan, the voice of the UFC and combat sports’ most influential podcaster, has a compelling theory about what went wrong for the Brazilian knockout artist – and it has nothing to do with Ankalaev’s skills.
Rogan Points to the Altitude Factor at UFC 313
On a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, the commentator broke down what he believes was the decisive factor in Pereira’s underwhelming performance.
“I think Pereira struggled with the altitude,” Rogan explained. “If you watch that fight again, he was breathing heavy early. We’ve seen this before with fighters who come to Vegas or other high-elevation venues and don’t acclimate properly. It’s like their gas tank is suddenly cut in half.”
Las Vegas sits at around 2,000 feet above sea level – not as extreme as Denver or Mexico City, but significant enough to impact elite athletes pushing their bodies to the limit.
Insert image of Alex Pereira looking visibly fatigued during UFC 313 here
The Science Behind Altitude’s Impact on Fighters
There’s legitimate science backing Rogan’s theory. At higher elevations, the decreased oxygen availability forces your body to work harder during physical exertion. For explosive fighters like Pereira who rely on power and timing, even slight cardiovascular compromise can be devastating.
Here’s how altitude affects fighters who haven’t properly acclimated:
- Decreased oxygen delivery to muscles
- Faster onset of fatigue
- Compromised decision-making under stress
- Slower recovery between explosive movements
Pereira’s History With Cardio Issues
This isn’t the first time questions about Pereira’s gas tank have surfaced. Even in some of his victories, the Brazilian has shown signs of slowing in later rounds. The difference at UFC 313 was that he appeared compromised much earlier than usual.
“I think Alex is a specimen, but cardio has been his Achilles heel before,” Rogan noted. “When you add altitude to that equation, suddenly a guy who normally hits like a truck might feel like he’s throwing punches underwater.”
| Fighter | Pre-Fight Altitude Training? | Performance Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Pereira | No reports of specific altitude prep | Visibly fatigued early, less explosive |
| Magomed Ankalaev | Trains regularly in mountainous Dagestan | Maintained consistent energy throughout |
What This Means for Pereira’s Future
If Rogan’s theory holds water, there’s good news for Pereira fans – this loss might be more circumstantial than indicative of a true skill gap between him and Ankalaev.
The Brazilian knockout artist has bounced back impressively before. After losing to Israel Adesanya, he returned to not only reclaim middleweight gold but also capture the light heavyweight belt in record time.
I expect we’ll see Pereira make adjustments to his training camp if a rematch materializes. The question is whether he’ll address the altitude issue specifically or work more broadly on his cardiovascular system.
Will We See a Different Pereira in the Rematch?
Dana White hasn’t confirmed a rematch yet, but given Pereira’s star power and the somewhat unexpected nature of his defeat, it’s likely only a matter of time before we see these two run it back.
“If they fight again and Pereira shows up with three weeks of altitude training under his belt, we might see a completely different fight,” Rogan suggested. “The guy is already one of the scariest strikers in UFC history. Imagine him with an improved gas tank.”
Insert image of Alex Pereira in previous victorious performance here
Looking Ahead: What’s Your Take?
Do you buy Rogan’s theory about the altitude affecting Pereira? Or do you think Ankalaev simply had the perfect gameplan to neutralize the Brazilian’s striking? The debate among MMA fans is just heating up.
One thing’s for certain – the light heavyweight division just got a lot more interesting. Whether Pereira can reclaim his throne or Ankalaev establishes a long reign remains one of the most compelling storylines to follow in the UFC.
What adjustments would you like to see Pereira make in his next fight? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
Source: Joe Rogan Experience Podcast, UFC 313 Fight Coverage
