UFC 307 goes down this weekend from Salt Lake City, Utah, with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira set to defend his 205lb title against the #8 ranked contender, Khalil Rountree Jr.
The matchup vs ‘The War Horse’ certainly caught UFC fans by surprise, many of whom were expecting the Brazilian to next defend his title against 19-1-1 wrestler Magomed Ankalaev – Poatan has now come out to explain why he isn’t fighting the Russian.
Alex Pereira claims Ankalaev fight wasn’t made due to his ‘boring style’
Given how Magomed Ankalaev currently retains the #2 spot in the rankings, is riding a 10-fight unbeaten streak and has been calling for a fight with Alex Pereira for the better part of a year, it was certainly a surprise when the UFC instead booked Poatan against Khalil Rountree Jr.
A surprise to everyone, except Pereira.
Speaking to Kevin Iole earlier this week, the Brazilian superstar would offer his thoughts as to why the UFC aren’t willing to put Ankalaev in a title fight situation; and it all comes down to pulling power.
“Honestly, it’s not my fault that Ankalaev have such a boring style of fighting that nobody wants to watch, that the guys don’t want to put him in,” stated Pereira, who is in Salt Lake City preparing for his UFC 307 main event fight against Rountree.
Pereira claimed that part of the blame should also be directed towards veteran manager Ali Abdelaziz, who continues to push the narrative that Ankalaev is being unfairly overlooked.
“Even his manager, super renowned guy [who is] famous in the MMA world, goes and says ‘Oh, this guy’s not going to fight, go talk to Dana White.’ But Dana White don’t want to make the matchup.
“Then he goes and says that the fact that Ankalaev is not fighting for the title is a joke – it was like clown stuff… So now, the UFC is pissed, why? Because the UFC and Dana White, and the guys that decide, so they’re a joke? They’re a clown? They’re a circus? So, you’ve got to sort that with the organization.”
Magomed Ankalaev fires back at Alex Pereira over claims he’s ‘boring’
Those comments didn’t sit too well with Ankalaev, who took to X to first post a rather surprising statistic of his own in response to being called ‘boring’ by the knockout artist.
“Alex have 6 KO in UFC I have 6 KO. He know why he’s not fighting me and Fighting the number eight guy let’s be real focus on your fight. I will do the same. We will see after if you will accept good luck, champ.”
In a follow-up post, Ankalaev would suggest that Pereira’s behavior is akin to someone in the witness protection scheme before acknowledging that he’ll still be supporting Poatan this weekend in Utah.
“Everyone know what the deal you under witness protection program I clearly understand. I just have to do my job Smash people and we fight next I will smash. You also please don’t close this week.
“Good luck this weekend I’m rooting for you let’s go champ.”
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Should Pereira get through Rountree in his third title fight of 2024, he understands that Ankalaev will likely be next in line – should he also get through his own upcoming fight against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308.
“I’m ready to fight the guy [and] he’s ready to fight me, so whenever they put that fight… People talk about my ground [game], so there’s a good chance I’m going to show everybody.”
UFC 307 featuring Alex Pereira goes down on October 5 from Salt Lake City, whilst UFC 308 featuring Ankalaev is set for October 26 in Abu Dhabi.