Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev seemed destined to fight each other, but their paths to the UFC 313 title fight were very different.
A two-time champion in Glory Kickboxing, Pereira achieved the same status in the UFC, winning title fights against longtime rival Israel Adesanya in just his eighth MMA fight and then against Jiri Prochazka in his 11th. “Poatan” hasn’t looked back, with three title defenses in 2024, defeating all his challengers by knockout.
Ankalaev was essentially overtaken by Pereira in the light heavyweight title chase, as he had to go on a 13-fight unbeaten streak to earn his opportunity. His road to the No. 1 contender status was a real rollercoaster, but now he has a chance to leave it all in the past if he can be the man to dethrone the popular Pereira.
