Magomed Ankalaev just went five rounds with Alex Pereira, and says he would be willing to do it all over again.
Newly-crowned light-heavyweight champion Ankalaev was willing to stand and trade with Pereira as he claimed the belt in the main event of UFC 313 last night. After the Brazilian systematically went about knocking out all contenders over the last year, it remains to be seen who is the next best challenger.
As such, Ankalaev is willing to go again with ‘Poatan’, telling the media that he would in fact be keen to have a rematch with the Brazilian.
- Who is Alex Pereira? Get to know the MMA brawler as he lands yet another massive KO at UFC 307
Magomed Ankalaev agrees to give Alex Pereira rematch after UFC 313
After last night’s fight, Dana White seemed to indicate that the next course of action was to put Pereira and Ankalaev back in the octagon for the Russian’s first title defence. ‘Poatan’ has already beaten the majority of the top ten, while nobody has made a convincing case for number one contender yet.
Speaking with AGFight in a post-fight interview last night, Magomed Ankalaev noted that he would agree to rematch Alex Pereira immediately. “We will wait for the call from the UFC bosses,” he explained. “It’s going to be a rematch? No problem.
“Without any hesitation [I would take that fight]… As long as I am an active fighter I want to be a champion and I believe I am going to retire with that belt. I don’t believe that anyone is going to take it from me.
“If there is no injury I could do easily three-four fights a year… I don’t know we have to see and think because I don’t see anyone as of right now who can challenge me, we’ve basically cleared out the division.”
Alex Pereira promises ‘adjustments’ as he pushes for immediate UFC 313 rematch
While last night’s fight came down to just one round on two scorecards, Pereira has insisted that he understands adjustments need to be made next time around. He issued a video statement on Instagram letting fans know his thoughts on the defeat.
“That’s it everyone, some marks but I’m good, I’m gonna rest a bit, I’ll be back like I’ve always done,” he began to explain in a video on his social media. “This has already happened before but I’m good. I’m grateful for all your support, for all your love and always supporting me.
“I’m here with my people, my family and my team… Everyone’s here with me, gonna have some pizza, that’s that, life continues… I’m gonna make some adjustments for the rematch and I’ll be back much better, you can count on it… CHAMA!”
- Who is Dana White? All you need to know about the CEO and President of the UFC