Magomed Ankalaev accuses Alex Pereira of "running" after UFC champ expresses interest in Anthony Joshua's boxing suggestion
Magomed Ankalaev has just taken to X to accuse UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira of avoiding a matchup with him. The Dagestani 205-pounder believes that he is entitled to a championship clash with the Brazilian for the divisional belt.
Recently, 'Poatan' reacted positively to a suggestion from heavyweight boxing great Anthony Joshua that he pursue a boxing match at some point. The Brazilian, who has a rich kickboxing history as one of the sport's greatest-ever fighters, asked Joshua who he thinks he should face.
Upset by the exchange, Ankalaev took aim at Pereira in a since-deleted tweet.
"@AlexPereiraUFC One more Ufc champion want to run to boxing because he knows he's going to lose his belt next."
Ankalaev has only just returned to the win column, having scored a thunderous second-round knockout of Johnny Walker back at UFC Vegas 84. Unfortunately, his campaign for a title shot appears to have fallen on deaf ears, as the promotion has not yet said anything about him fighting for the belt next.
Furthermore, Pereira seems to be eyeing a heavyweight stint against either interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall or the division's undisputed king, Jon Jones. For now, Ankalaev will continue prodding and poking 'Poatan' for a title fight, which he may well receive.
The light heavyweight top five is devoid of any other compelling challengers. Jiří Procházka has suffered back-to-back knockout losses to 'Poatan.' Meanwhile, Jamahal Hill was knocked out by the Brazilian at UFC 300. Jan Błachowicz was defeated by him via split-decision and hasn't fought since, winless over two fights.
Aleksandar Rakić is also coming off a loss of his own, but instead of a loss to 'Poatan,' he was TKO'd by Procházka at UFC 300. So, Ankalaev is the only other top five fighter coming off a win.
Magomed Ankalaev has vowed to knock Alex Pereira out
In yet another post reacting to Alex Pereira's interest in boxing, Magomed Anakalaev promised to knock the former kickboxer unconscious within a round.
"Me vs you I'm knocking you out the first round You don't need boxing you need your biggest challenge in your life."
Popular opinion, though, holds that Ankalaev should avoid engaging Pereira on the feet, and should instead pursue takedowns and implement his wrestling.