Alex Pereira has picked up a surprising supporter ahead of his next light-heavyweight title defence this weekend.
The hard-hitting Brazilian faces fellow striker Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Saturday night. Many fans were surprised by the matchup, particularly given the American’s lowly number eight ranking in the division.
What seemed even more strange was that the number two contender Magomed Ankalaev wasn’t considered. In fact, the Russian was matched for UFC 308 at the end of the month against Aleksander Rakic; the only other light-heavyweight in the top five whom Pereira hasn’t already beaten.
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Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev have differing theories for why they weren’t matched
After his last win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, it appeared that Alex Pereira was due to finally take some much-needed time off from MMA. After winning the light-heavyweight belt in November, he took short notice fights in April and June to save UFC 300 and UFC 303, and wanted a break.
But it was announced over the summer that he would be back at the start of October to face Rountree at UFC 307. What surprised fans was that his opponent was not Ankalaev, whom he had been feuding with over thew few weeks since his last defence.
Pereira believes that Ankalaev turned down the fight, while his rival reckons that the Brazilian is being protected from a top grappler given his starpower and exciting style. “A lot of people ask me, I always wanted to fight against Ankalaev,” Pereira claimed in a recent YouTube video.
“I threw that to the organization. Left it very clear, but Ankalaev didn’t want to fight against me. I don’t know the reason, whether it was the location or if he just didn’t want to.”
Ankalaev has a very different telling of the story, branding Pereira a ‘liar’ for his stance. “This man is a liar. He’s making stuff up. I’m going to punish him after I handle my business,” Ankalaev stated on X, formerly Twitter.
Magomed Ankalaev places his support behind Alex Pereira in UFC 307 main event
However, it appears that the tables have turned as we approach Saturday night. Now, Ankalaev has taken to social media to put his support behind Pereira as he gears up to face an interesting challenge in Rountree.
Posting to his followers on X, formerly Twitter, Ankalaev tagged Pereira and wrote: “Good luck this weekend I’m rooting for you let’s go champ.”
But it may not all be rosy, as a cursory glance at Ankalaev’s page indicates he may have an ulterior motive for supporting his rival. It seems that he is keen to see Pereira keep winning so that he can be the man to finally topple the ferocious kickboxer.
Responding to a post from MMA Junkie where Pereira branded his style ‘boring’, Ankalaev wrote two messages making his case for a fight that ended with a note of support. “Alex have 6 KO in UFC I have 6 KO,” he explained in one.
“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 his second message, he added: “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.”
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