Magomed Ankalaev has issued a final warning to Alex Pereira as he prepares to challenge ‘Poatan’s’ light heavyweight throne at UFC 313.
Ankalaev is almost the favorite to dethrone Pereira, bringing a well-rounded MMA skillset with a heavy wrestling base and solid kickboxing. ‘Big Ank’ jested that there will be ‘No Chama’ when he fights Pereira on March 8, and he continued this sentiment in a stern message at the ceremonial face-offs.
Magomed Ankalaev warns he’ll ‘eat’ Alex Pereira when they clash in UFC 313 main event
Speaking at the UFC 313 Ceremonial Weigh-In, Ankalaev warned pro-Pereira fans that they would be sorely disappointed with Saturday night’s result.
“I’m going to eat this guy,” Ankalaev said. “All of these people who are booing me right now, tomorrow they are going to love me.”
UFC 313 is vindication for Magomed Ankalaev, the UFC’s most disrespected light heavyweight
The UFC wouldn’t have you believe it, but Ankalaev has been a viable contender for the light heavyweight throne since 2022. His ill-fated draw with Jan Blachowicz in their UFC 282 title fight ruined fan sentiment, and he was pushed through the light heavyweight gauntlet to earn another shot.
Ankalaev had another rocky result by eye poking Johnny Walker in their UFC 294 fight. He avenged the result by knocking Walker out in the rematch, but was miraculously snubbed by then-No. 8-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr. for the next title fight at UFC 307. Ankalaev fought and defeated Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308, finally earning his second shot.
The common consensus is that the promotion has kept Ankalaev away from Pereira, who is one of their biggest cash cows. 37-year-old Pereira has a shelf life, and they got the most out of him against favorable opposition in 2024. Now, he faces his first real stylistic disadvantage since joining the UFC.