Magomed Ankalaev is preparing for a significant challenge as he is set to fight Alex Pereira, a highly popular UFC champion, this Saturday. Ankalaev is ready to face this challenge and even willing to have a second fight with Pereira if the UFC decides it.
Pereira will defend his light heavyweight title for the fourth time as the main event at UFC 313, against Ankalaev, who has an impressive record of 13 fights without a loss. This title opportunity has been a long time coming for Ankalaev, who feels he’s been overlooked before, but he’s determined to make his mark in this fight.
During a media event in Las Vegas, Ankalaev told reporters that he is not only sure he will defeat Pereira, but he is also prepared to offer him a rematch immediately.
“Speaking for myself, I have never refused a rematch,” Ankalaev stated through a translator. “I think there have been two instances in my career where someone requested an immediate rematch, and I granted it. So, if I am in a position to decide whether he gets a rematch, I will definitely agree to it.”
Ankalaev’s path to a title shot has been made more difficult by a lack of decisive knockout wins and a couple of fights that didn’t end clearly. In 2020, he fought Ion Cutelaba twice because their first fight had a strange ending where Cutelaba seemed to pretend to be hurt after a strike from Ankalaev, leading the referee to stop the fight. A rematch was quickly arranged, and Ankalaev won by a first-round knockout.
He also had two fights with Johnny Walker after an illegal knee strike in their first match in October 2023. Walker couldn’t continue, resulting in a no-contest, and they fought again three months later. Ankalaev won the rematch with a second-round knockout.
Leading up to the fight with Pereira, Ankalaev has been critical of Pereira, believing he is not focused enough. There is clear tension between them, as Ankalaev feels Pereira is responsible for delaying his title shot.
“I don’t care how this affects him,” Ankalaev said. “I don’t care if he takes it personally or not. We are approaching this fight as if it’s the most important fight of our lives, and we will do everything we can to win this opportunity.”
“We should have had this opportunity a long time ago, and he was the one who prevented us from getting this chance for a long time. So, we will prepare and do everything possible to win. If he takes it personally, that’s his problem, not ours.”
Adding complexity to the rivalry is the idea that the UFC might not want Ankalaev to win against Pereira, considering Pereira’s massive popularity in recent years.
Ankalaev is confident that if he wins, the UFC will understand his true value.
“There are a lot of emotions,” Ankalaev said. “Waiting is the hardest part. You just sit and wait. Of course, there was some frustration, but we have been asking and waiting for this opportunity for so long. Now we finally have it, and the past is behind us. We are going to do everything we can to ensure we win.”
“I don’t know if the UFC appreciates me yet, but after this fight, they will definitely appreciate me.”
