The light heavyweight division remains a focal point of anticipation, particularly concerning a potential rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. Adding fuel to the fire, Ankalaev`s longtime manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has provided a clear outlook on when this highly anticipated bout might occur and, more importantly, how he believes it will unfold.
According to Abdelaziz, fight fans can likely expect Ankalaev to return to action and face Pereira again in October. While specific details remain fluid, October features two potential pay-per-view slots: UFC 320 in Las Vegas and UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. The latter location might seem geographically advantageous for Ankalaev, but Pereira`s considerable star power could just as easily necessitate a return to the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Wherever the fight lands, Abdelaziz is projecting an outcome firmly in his fighter`s favor. Speaking on the Pound-for-Pound podcast, the prominent manager declared with characteristic certainty that if the rematch happens – which he fully expects – “it`s going to be worse for Alex.” This statement, delivered with the manager`s typical lack of reservation, immediately sets the stage for a confident narrative surrounding Ankalaev`s readiness.
This bold prediction stems from a belief that Ankalaev has gained significant confidence since their first encounter in March, a fight the manager asserts Ankalaev won by unanimous decision. Abdelaziz posits that while Pereira is a formidable and courageous fighter, his previous opponents, according to the manager, were largely “mediocre strikers.” In stark contrast, Abdelaziz highlights Ankalaev`s multi-faceted skillset, emphasizing his capabilities in wrestling, grappling, and striking, even suggesting Ankalaev is primarily a striker. He confidently claims Ankalaev hurt Pereira in their initial meeting, while Pereira did not retaliate in kind. This newfound belief, coupled with the ability to genuinely threaten opponents across multiple disciplines, is cited as a key factor in the projected outcome.
Beyond the technical breakdown, Abdelaziz also pointed to external factors, noting Pereira`s age at 38 and the demands of his travel schedule. These points, combined with Ankalaev`s asserted momentum, which includes an undefeated streak stretching back 14 fights (according to the manager), paint a picture of a fighter whose time, in Abdelaziz`s view, has definitively arrived. One could almost hear the emphatic desk thump supporting this assertion.
Abdelaziz didn`t shy away from injecting a touch of fight-business drama, suggesting that Ankalaev`s path has been complicated by elements within the UFC itself. He controversially claimed that figures like Hunter Campbell and Mick Maynard, among others at the organization, had been “sandbagging” his fighter and were even “praying” for him to lose. Now, he suggests, they are about to witness Ankalaev`s undeniable ascendancy – a claim that adds a layer of intriguing, if unsubstantiated, promotional narrative to the potential fight.
As negotiations and planning for the latter part of the year continue, Abdelaziz`s statements ensure that a potential October rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira will remain a highly discussed and eagerly anticipated event, with the manager having already firmly staked his claim on the predicted outcome, suggesting that for Alex Pereira, the second time around may prove significantly more challenging.
