After securing the biggest win of his career at UFC 313, the new light heavyweight champion has been vert active on social media.
Magomed Ankalaev seemingly played up to being the bad guy in his reflections on the fight after beating Alex Pereira in the main event.
Whilst Ankalaev has said that he’d be open to a rematch with Pereira, there have been some mixed messages at the same time.
The champ’s social media account tells a different story to what he has said in interviews with Ankalaev trashing the likes of Khalil Rountree and Jiri Prochazka on X.
His conduct inside the Octagon on March 8 also goes against this reaction to his potential next opponents with the Russian being graceful in victory.
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Magomed Ankalaev seen showing respect to Alex Pereira before exiting the Octagon
Magomed Ankalaev’s series of posts on social media might suggest that he is the new main event heel of the UFC but his actions at the T-Mobile Arena don’t reflect this.
There was some tension between the two men ahead of March 8 with Pereira believing that his challenger crossed the line with one comment in particular.
Despite this, though Pereira was left disappointed and frustrated with the result, there was mutual respect between the two opponents once the final bell sounded.
A video posted on X showed a moment that was missed on the UFC 313 broadcast during Joe Rogan’s interview with ‘Poatan’ after the fight.
Just before Ankalaev is about to step outside the Octagon, he seemingly gets told by his coach to go and thank Pereira one more time which is seen in the side of the frame during the former champion’s post-fight statement.
The new champion has not been complimentary of his potential next opponents but he did post the following message on X after the fight to show respect to the Brazilian star once again.
“@AlexPereiraUFC it was an honor sharing the cage with you, you are a great Champion and your team, your coaches have a lot of class. Let’s run it back anytime you want.”
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Magomed Ankalaev is being positioned as a villain
Whilst Magomed Ankalaev might get more fans invested in his fights and career if he plays up to being the heel, it doesn’t seem like this is entirely in his nature.
His respectful exchanges with Alex Pereira show that, as does the conflicting statements on his approach to defending the title.
Ankalaev’s social media shows him discrediting and insulting the top contenders at 205-pounds whilst the words that left his mouth after the fight were very much the opposite.
“In the reign of Magomed Ankalaev, the doors will always be open for all contenders—for every fighter who deserves a title shot. I’d never pick and choose opponents. Whoever deserves it, I’m going to defend my title against them.”
Ankalaev might not be the menacing new kingpin at 205-pounds but he is certainly being positioned that way after beating one of the biggest stars in the sport.