It didn’t take long for UFC light heavyweight champion Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira to be called out after his round-two demolition of Jiri Prochazka.
If it wasn’t obvious that Alex Pereira is one of the biggest superstars in all of combat sports, it certainly is now with the Brazilian powerhouse earning yet another viral KO victory in the main event of UFC 303 last night – yet as one door closes, another opens.
19-1 contender sends ominous warning to Alex Pereira after UFC 303 KO
Prior to UFC 303, there had been speculation that 19-1-1 Russian light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev would be the one getting that next shot at Poatan and the 205lb title.
Unsurprising, it only took a few seconds after Prochazka’s unconscious body crumbled to the ground for Ankalaev to post a series of threatening messages toward the Brazilian superstar.
“Congratulations champ, I’m very impressed,” acknowledged Ankalaev, before making his callout crystal clear as he tagged both UFC President Dana White and ‘matchmaker extraordinaire’ Mick Maynard directly.
“But the Boss always says this is the sport of opportunities and all I want is an opportunity and I don’t need wrestling I have enough striking to test your chin. I believe I will knock you out.
“All these guys in the Top 5 have been knocked out, I’m the best Light Heavyweight on the planet none of these guys are on my level and now I get to fight the Champion and I believe he is not that scared of me like other ones.”
Ankalaev continued his callout across several posts, claiming that he can finish Pereira without having to employ his patented wrestling-heavy style: “I do not need to take him down, this guy his chin is gone but I know he is very dangerous.
“2 years ago Alex Pereira was not ready to fight with me but I believe today he is the hardest fight in the division for me and I’m the hardest fight in the division for him.”
The 19-1-1 contender ended his online assault by stating it doesn’t matter when or where the light heavyweight title fight happens, he’ll be ready for anything.
“Abu Dhabi Saudi Arabia, New York Vegas doesn’t matter anywhere anytime by KO be ready Alex.”
Magomed Ankalaev is currently the #2 ranked light heavyweight in the world and is riding a 10-fight winning streak which includes wins over Johnny Walker, Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, Volkan Oezdemir, and Nikita Krylov.
Luckily, it didn’t take long for both Pereira and White to respond to Ankalaev’s callout following the devastating conclusion to UFC 303.
Alex Pereira and Dana White react to callout from Magomed Ankalaev
Whilst Joe Rogan asked during the post-fight interview whether Pereira would soon be considering a move up to heavyweight, the Brazilian superstar later acknowledged that there’s still more work to be done at 205lbs.
“I don’t know what’s the limit, I’m going to be training, I’m going to be ready, and I’m going to be taking the opportunities… I think I still have challenges [at light heavyweight], I want to keep defending my belt, I want to keep training and showing results.”
Luckily, both Alex Pereira and Dana White appeared open to the possibility of Poatan taking on Ankalaev for his next title defense.
“I don’t know [but] we’ll see,” said White, who makes a habit of distancing himself from putting a stamp on fight callouts so soon after an event, although it didn’t take long for him to change tune: “I like it, there you go, yeah.”
Pereira himself noted that “Everybody deserves,” a fair chance to fight for the title once they’ve earned their spot near the top of the UFC rankings, “But I’m not the guy to ask, you got to talk to Dana White – [I’ll fight] anybody.”
He later added that “For me, it doesn’t matter,” and that “When I beat Ankalaev, they’re going to say that he’s not the best guy no more.”
With his second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, Alex Pereira improved his professional record to 11-2.