Magomed
Ankalaev claims he doesn’t need wrestling to dethrone
UFC light heavyweight champ Alex
Pereira.
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Pereira stepped up on 11 days’ notice to save the UFC 303
card, putting his title on the line against Jiri Prochazka in the
main event at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. “Poatan” almost
knocked Prochazka out cold at the end of the first round before
finishing him with a head kick at the beginning of the second
round.
Ankalaev, who is the next expected title contender at 205 pounds,
called out the champ immediately afterwards. An ace grappler,
Ankalaev believes he doesn’t need his ground game to beat the
former Glory Kickboxing champion.
“Congratulations champ, I’m very impressed but the boss [Dana
White] always says this is the sport of opportunities and all I
want is an opportunity,” Ankalaev wrote on social media. “And I
don’t need wrestling, I have enough striking to test your chin. I
believe I will knock you out.”
@AlexPereiraUFC
congratulations champ, I’m very impressed but the Boss @danawhite
always says this is the sport of opportunities and all I want is an
opportunity and I don’t need wrestling I have enough striking to
test your chin. I believe I will knock you out. @Mickmaynard2— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
June 30, 2024
Unbeaten since suffering his lone pro defeat in his UFC debut in
2018, Ankalaev has always claimed that it has been hard for him to
find top-tier opponents. While Ankalaev was finally offered a title
shot against Pereira at UFC 300 in April, the Russian standout
didn’t accept the fight because he was observing Ramadan. Pereira
went on to defend his strap against Jamahal Hill via first-round KO
in the main event at UFC 300. Ankalaev is now confident that he
gets the next title shot, as he is not worried about Pereira
avoiding a fight with him.
“All these guys in the Top 5 have been knocked out,” he wrote. “I’m
the best light heavyweight on the planet. None of these guys are on
my level, and now I get to fight the champion and I believe he is
not that scared of me like other ones.”
All these guys in the Top 5 have been
knocked out, I’m the best Light Heavyweight on the planet none of
these guys are on my level and now I get to fight the Champion and
I believe he is not that scared of me like other ones— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
June 30, 2024
While Pereira barely suffered a scratch in his UFC 303 win over
Prochazka, Ankalaev saw something that tells him the Brazilian
might be vulnerable.
“Guys believe me everyone, I will knock out [Alex Pereira]. I do
not need to take him down, this guy his chin is gone but I know he
is very dangerous.
Guys believe me everyone, I will knock out
@AlexPereiraUFC
I do not need to take him down, this guy his chin is gone but I
know he is very dangerous— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
June 30, 2024
Pereira’s rapid rise to stardom saw him win two UFC titles and make
two successful defenses within less than three years. While
Ankalaev believes Pereira might not have been ready for him a
couple of years back, he admits they are the toughest matchup in
the division for each other today.
“[Two] years ago Alex Pereira was not ready to fight with me, but I
believe today he is the hardest fight in the division for me and
I’m the hardest fight in the division for him.”
2 years ago Alex Perreira was not ready to
fight with me but I believe today he is the hardest fight in the
division for me and I’m the hardest fight in the division for
him— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
June 30, 2024
Meanwhile, Pereira replied “anybody” when asked about a potential
clash against Ankalaev next. “Poatan” believes Ankalaev will no
longer be considered the toughest matchup for him once he beats the
Russian.
“I fought Blachowicz. He was the best guy. I beat him, now he’s not
the best guy no more,” Pereira said in a backstage interview. “When I beat Ankalaev,
they’re gonna say that’s he’s not the best guy no more.”