Pereira Ready To Silence Ankalaev’s Supporters – ‘I’m Ready For Him’
Alex Pereira, the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, has denied ducking Magomed Ankalaev.
Pereira will take on the Russian on March 8 at UFC 313. The fight takes place on the biggest stage from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Alex is considered the favorite based on his 2024. He secured three knockout wins to keep his light heavyweight belt. He stopped Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. in his last fight. After the Rountree Jr. win, Pereira revealed that he had suffered an injury.
He also said he would be taking some time off to consider his next move. Ankalev continued to increase the demand for this fight by improving his winning streak. Ankalaev has not lost in 13 bouts. The Russian secured 11 wins, a draw, and one no-contest during this period. He enters into the fight with a victory against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308. He referred to Alex as a chicken, as both traded verbals shots at each other. But any accusations of each man avoiding the other will be put to bed.
Pereira On Ankalaev
“I did say I wanted to take a break, but I started training again, feeling good, and started seeing my evolution. So I called my managers right away and said I want to fight, I want to fight in March, I want to fight Ankalaev.
“I know he keeps saying I’m just an employee of the UFC, I fight whenever they want, but I asked for him. I told them when I want to fight. As dangerous as any other opponent that I’ve fought. Looking at him, the way that he fights, he’s an ordinary guy. Of course, he has his weapons, has his dangers, but I’ve been been training hard. I’ve evolved a lot, and I’m ready for him,” Pereira said
There is a lot riding on this fight. Pereira has said that he is open to a trilogy with Jiri. The latter stopped Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in his last fight. He has already had two attempts against Alex, reducing the need for a third fight. Alex stopped him in both bouts. The last bout at UFC 303 was controversial after Jiri accused Alex of using witchcraft against his opponents. Pereira remained composed to get the win. But the talk did generate a lot of controversy. After his win over Hill, Jiri called out Pereira Alex is open to that fight.
“I’m ready to fight anybody. It doesn’t matter who it is.Right now, it’s Ankalaev’s time. I’m going to fight Ankalaev. But after this fight, if everything’s good, we’re going to give Jiri an opportunity as well. He said he wants it, he’s going to have it,” Pereira stated
Full Card
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev – for light heavyweight title
Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker
Iasmin Lucindo vs. Amanda Lemos
Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van
Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
Chris Gutierrez vs. Jean Matsumoto
Francis Marshall vs. Mairon Santos
Carlos Leal vs. Alex Morono
Ozzy Diaz vs. Djorden Santos
Jhonata Diniz vs. Vitor Petrino
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