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 if the UFC requests it.
Pereira will defend his light heavyweight title for the fourth time as the main event of UFC 313, against Ankalaev, who boasts a 13-fight unbeaten streak. This title opportunity has been a long time coming for Ankalaev, who feels he has been overlooked in the past, but he is determined to make his mark on fight night.
During a media event in Las Vegas, Ankalaev expressed his confidence in defeating Pereira and stated his willingness to grant Pereira an immediate rematch.
“I have never refused a rematch,” Ankalaev stated through a translator. “In my career, there have been a couple of instances where opponents requested immediate rematches, and I agreed. If I am in a position to decide if Pereira deserves a rematch, I will definitely say yes.”
Ankalaev’s path to a title shot has been somewhat slowed by a lack of spectacular finishes and a few fights with unclear outcomes. In 2020, he fought Ion Cutelaba twice due to a controversial end to their first fight where Cutelaba appeared to fake being hurt, leading to a referee stoppage. An immediate rematch occurred, and Ankalaev won by first-round knockout.
He also had two fights with Johnny Walker after an illegal knee ended their first match in October 2023. Walker couldn’t continue, resulting in a no-contest. In the rematch three months later, Ankalaev secured a second-round knockout victory.
Leading up to the Pereira fight, Ankalaev has criticized Pereira for what he sees as a lack of focus. There is clear tension between them, as Ankalaev believes Pereira is the reason he didn’t get a title shot sooner.
“I don’t care how it affects him,” Ankalaev said. “It doesn’t matter to me if he takes it personally. We are approaching this fight like it’s our last, and we will do everything possible to win this opportunity.”
“This opportunity was supposed to come to us a long time ago, and he was the one preventing it for a long time. So we will prepare and do everything we can to win, and if he takes it personally, that’s his problem. It’s not our concern.”
Adding to the complexity is the suggestion that the UFC might prefer Pereira to remain champion, given his recent surge in popularity.
Ankalaev is sure that a victory will demonstrate his true value to the promotion.
“There are a lot of emotions,” Ankalaev admitted. “Waiting is the hardest part. You just sit and wait. Of course, there was some frustration, but we’ve been asking and waiting for this, and it’s been a long time. Now we finally have this chance, and that’s in the past. We’re going to do everything we can to ensure we get this win.”
“I don’t know if the UFC appreciates me yet, but after this fight, they will definitely appreciate me.”
