In the world of combat sports, a loss is often met with tough questions and harsh criticism, but sometimes, the excuses can be downright ridiculous. Following Alex Pereira’s recent defeat, a wave of strange and unfounded explanations has surfaced, leaving fans, analysts, and fellow fighters scratching their heads. Instead of owning the loss or acknowledging the mistakes in his performance, some of Pereira’s camp have resorted to outlandish excuses, which has led to widespread backlash across the MMA community.

Pereira, who has built a reputation for his devastating knockout power and exceptional kickboxing pedigree, recently suffered a loss that shocked many of his supporters. But rather than reflecting on what went wrong, several excuses have emerged — ranging from “he didn’t do anything” to blaming external factors — and they’ve raised more than a few eyebrows.

So, what exactly are these excuses, and why are they so ridiculous? Let’s take a deeper look at the aftermath of Pereira’s loss and the bizarre explanations that have followed.

The Excuses That Raised Eyebrows

“He Didn’t Do Anything…”

One of the most bewildering excuses to come out after Pereira’s loss was the claim that his opponent “didn’t do anything.” This sentiment has been echoed by a few members of Pereira’s camp and even some of his fans. According to them, despite the fact that Pereira was decisively defeated, his opponent allegedly didn’t “engage” enough or show the aggression necessary for a dominant victory.

This is a bizarre argument for several reasons. First, in MMA, winning rounds is not just about attacking; it’s about controlling the fight, landing effective strikes, and managing distance. Pereira’s opponent may not have thrown excessive amounts of strikes, but they made their shots count and were clearly the more strategic fighter. To claim that a fighter didn’t do anything when they are outstriking and outworking their opponent is simply ignoring the facts.

Additionally, this excuse downplays the fact that Pereira was repeatedly outclassed in key moments of the fight. While it’s understandable to have a fighter’s back, dismissing the performance of their opponent shows a lack of recognition of the other fighter’s skill set and strategy. Fighting is not just about who throws more punches; it’s about who controls the pace, lands cleaner shots, and avoids taking unnecessary damage.

Blaming External Factors: “I Wasn’t Myself”

Another common excuse after any loss is the claim that the fighter “wasn’t themselves.” For Pereira, this excuse came in the form of mental and physical factors that supposedly hindered his performance. According to some, Pereira wasn’t feeling 100%, citing various issues — such as personal problems or an alleged lack of preparation — as reasons for his subpar showing in the cage.

While it’s not uncommon for fighters to face personal issues outside the cage, this explanation is often seen as a way to deflect from the fact that they simply lost. Every fighter faces difficulties, whether they’re physical, mental, or emotional. It’s part of the sport. To immediately cite these external factors as the primary reason for a loss is unfair to both the fighter and their opponent.

Furthermore, it’s a tactic that, while human, doesn’t help anyone in the long term. Fans and analysts alike don’t want to hear about how things weren’t perfect; they want to see a fighter perform at their best. MMA is about overcoming adversity, not using it as an excuse for failure.

“The Referee Was Biased”

No fight is complete without a few complaints about the referee, and in this case, a segment of Pereira’s supporters took to social media to claim that the referee was biased and made poor decisions that ultimately affected the outcome of the fight. From allegedly stopping exchanges too early to allowing the opponent to get away with illegal strikes, the complaints about officiating came fast and furious.

However, after a careful review of the fight, it’s clear that the referee did his job well, allowing both fighters to engage and controlling the pace of the action fairly. While every fight has its moments of controversy or debatable calls, blaming the referee for a fighter’s loss is an easy way out and an unproductive way to handle a defeat. Instead of taking accountability for his own shortcomings, Pereira’s camp resorted to deflecting blame.

It’s important to note that no fighter in MMA has ever had a flawless fight. Every competitor deals with difficult situations in the cage, whether it’s a tough referee, unfavorable judging, or challenging opponent strategies. However, fighters are expected to adjust, adapt, and overcome these obstacles — not use them as excuses for a loss.

The Bigger Picture: Deflecting from the Reality

Excuses like these tend to cloud the reality of what happened in the fight. At the end of the day, Alex Pereira lost because his opponent outperformed him. It wasn’t because his opponent did nothing, it wasn’t because Pereira wasn’t himself, and it certainly wasn’t because of a biased referee. It was simply because Pereira was outclassed in that particular fight.

In combat sports, the ability to accept a loss and learn from it is essential for growth. When fighters or their camps make excuses, it not only undermines the integrity of the sport but also prevents them from truly reflecting on what went wrong. The best athletes are those who acknowledge their flaws, work on their weaknesses, and come back stronger — not those who shift blame and avoid responsibility.

A Call for Accountability

While it’s normal for any athlete to feel disappointed or frustrated after a loss, the key to growth lies in embracing the reality of the situation. Alex Pereira has had an incredible career, and one loss doesn’t define him as a fighter. But continuing to make excuses, whether about the opponent’s performance, outside distractions, or officiating, is a dangerous path to go down.

Fighters like Pereira have the potential to bounce back stronger than ever — but only if they take ownership of their shortcomings and use the loss as fuel for improvement. Instead of deflecting blame, Pereira and his camp should focus on learning from the experience and evolving as a fighter.

Conclusion: Embrace Defeat, Learn, and Grow

Alex Pereira is undoubtedly a talented fighter, and while his recent loss may sting, it’s important for him — and his supporters — to stop making ridiculous excuses and instead focus on what needs to improve moving forward. The fight game is about overcoming adversity, not making excuses when things don’t go according to plan. In the end, it’s how a fighter handles defeat that determines their greatness, and this is a valuable lesson that Pereira should carry into his next fight.

Only by learning from his mistakes and accepting responsibility for his performance can Pereira reach the heights that many believe he’s capable of.