Magomed Ankalaev responds to Alex Pereira's recent ducking allegations
Magomed Ankalaev has addressed Alex Pereira's recent remarks regarding their potential fight. Ankalaev suggested that he isn't ducking a possible matchup against the UFC light heavyweight champion.
Ankalaev secured a spectacular second-round KO victory in his rematch against Johnny Walker in Jan. 2024. Meanwhile, former UFC middleweight champion and reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira has competed twice this year, successfully defending the light heavyweight title on both occasions.
'Poatan' defeated Jamahal Hill via first-round KO in April 2024 and then bested Jiri Prochazka via second-round TKO in their rematch in June 2024. Considering the variables at play, the consensus was that Pereira's next title defense could come against the No. 2-ranked Ankalaev.
Nevertheless, the UFC announced that Ankalaev would fight the No. 5-ranked Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., on Oct. 26, 2024.
Thereafter, the promotion announced that Pereira would defend his UFC light heavyweight championship against the No. 8-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. on Oct. 5, 2024. For his part, Ankalaev reacted to that by indicating that he'll handily defeat Rakic and earn a title shot regardless.
A few MMA personalities, such as former UFC light heavyweight champions Jan Blachowicz and Jamahal Hill, disapproved of Rountree being given the title shot over Ankalaev.
On that note, Pereira recently posted a video to his YouTube channel, claiming that the UFC did offer Ankalaev the opportunity to fight him for the title but the Dagestani fighter turned it down. The 37-year-old signaled that he'd made it clear to the UFC that he wanted to fight Ankalaev.
Pereira alluded that perhaps the UFC 307 event taking place in the U.S. could've played a role in Ankalaev not accepting the matchup. For context, there's been speculation that Ankalaev's been facing visa issues (a rumor he's refuted) in regard to the U.S. and prefers fighting in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Moreover, 'Poatan' implied that Ankalaev's refusal to fight him led to Rountree getting the title fight. He indicated that Ankalaev isn't the champion and doesn't call the shots. Pereira stated:
"I'm not scared of anyone ... He [Ankalaev] made things difficult, but I'll come across him soon."
Watch Pereira address the situation below (9:00):
Responding to a tweet regarding Alex Pereira's recent comments, Magomed Ankalaev contradictorily wrote:
"This is the biggest lie this not man style"
Alex Pereira isn't the only UFC light heavyweight in Magomed Ankalaev's crosshairs
Many believe that the long-awaited Alex Pereira-Magomed Ankalaev grudge match could materialize, provided they win their respective upcoming fights. Apart from consistently criticizing Pereira for supposedly evading a fight against him, Ankalaev recently lambasted former opponent Jan Blachowicz for being gifted a split draw by the judges in their Dec. 2022 fight.
The Dagestani MMA stalwart also deemed Jiri Prochazka "delusional." Furthermore, Ankalaev targeted Jamahal Hill, who had expressed his willingness to step in and face him at UFC 308 if Rakic were to withdraw from that event. Ankalaev warned Hill to be prepared for Abu Dhabi and tweeted:
"Jamal Hill time to eat your words. Get ready for Abu Dhabi. You're officially the backup"
Check out the screenshots of Magomed Ankalaev's tweets against Prochazka and Blachowicz below:
