Magomed Ankalaev is so confident that he’ll beat Alex Pereira at UFC 313 that he’s already opened the door to an immediate rematch later in 2025.
The tension between UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and incoming opponent Magomed Ankalaev is building nicely, with both men vowing to finish the other in devastating fashion.
Earlier this week, Ankalaev sent another ominous warning to Pereira, teasing that he’s coming to “change this guy’s face,” and score a first-round stoppage – so what happens next if we do hear ‘And New’ out in Las Vegas?
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Magomed Ankalaev says he’ll decide if Alex Pereira deserves rematch
If it wasn’t obvious already, Magomed Ankalaev is extremely confident that he’ll get the victory on Saturday evening; so much so that he’s already talking about the possibility of an immediate rematch.
Speaking with media after an open workout session in Las Vegas, Ankalaev teased that he will indeed offer ‘Poatan’ the chance to recapture his light heavyweight title following UFC 313.
“When it comes to me, I’ve never said no to rematches,” he explained via a Russian translator.
“There’s two already I think in my career that somebody said that they deserve a rematch right away and I gave them that chance… So if it comes to me and I’m the one who decides whether he gets an opportunity for a rematch right away, of course, I’ll say yes.”
Ankalaev has been involved in two immediate rematches so far in his UFC career; those coming against Ion Cutelaba (both TKO wins) and Johnny Walker (No Contest, followed by a TKO win).
Curiously, those comments from the incoming LHW title challenger have divided the wider MMA community.
On one side, fans of the Russian are posting comments such as “I respect this immensely,” and “This Big Ank kid is a monster,” while others argue that such an enormous decision will be left solely to Dana White and the UFC.
”Acting like he’s won already. He’ll be lucky to leave the arena conscious,” wrote one fan, with another adding: “There’s no way they DON’T already have a rematch date in mind if Chama goes down.”
Magomed Ankalaev rejects Alex Pereira’s $200K title fight wager
In an Instagram video posted earlier this week, Alex Pereira offered Magomed Ankalaev a wager for their upcoming title showdown – with a whopping $200K on the line.
“Since you are so confident you will win, $200,000 to the winners charity of choice… Win or lose this will help those in need. It’s in your hands.”
Ankalaev has now responded to Pereira’s wager, declining the offer based on religious grounds.
“As a Muslim you know betting is forbidden in Islam, and also as a Muslim every year I have to give 2.5% of my wealth to charity this is one of the five pillars of Islam,” he wrote on X.
“Many kids around the world are in need and we can do things after the fight but we don’t have to publicize it.”
During a recent episode of the UFC 313 Embedded series, Ankalaev was asked whether it was difficult to accept the Pereira title fight while observing Ramadan.
“Yes, it was very difficult. But there were no other options. It was a chance, and we are taking it.”
UFC 313: Pereira vs Ankalaev goes down live from Las Vegas on Saturday, March 8.