Alex Pereira believes he’s fought tougher opposition than UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev.
Fans have been awaiting confirmation of the light heavyweight title rematch ever since Ankalaev defeated Pereira at UFC 313 this past March.
Ankalaev publicly accepted a rematch soon after, but he’s since complained about apparent delays that he alleges are down to the Brazilian turning down fight dates.
That led to Ankalaev’s manager setting Pereira a deadline for accepting the rematch, and it seems that ‘Poatan’ plans to meet it.
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Alex Pereira rejects the notion Magomed Ankalaev is his toughest-ever opponent
Pereira has become more active in recent weeks when it comes to addressing his future and teasing a return.
That trend continued in a recent interview with The Schmo, during which he even pinpointed the likely timeframe for his rematch against Ankalaev.
“We are in talks with the UFC. We are gearing up,” Pereira said.
“Let’s see. Maybe something around October.”
The promotion is set to stage two pay-per-views in that month, with UFC 320 expected to take place in Las Vegas on October 4 and the annual Abu Dhabi numbered card a few weeks later.
When he stands across from Ankalaev inside the cage again at either of those events, Pereira is certain that he won’t be facing the hardest challenge of his career.
“I’ve definitely fought tougher opponents,” Pereira insisted. “The situation itself on that day (UFC 313), the circumstances, made him a hard opponent.
“But I’ve definitely fought people way harder than him.”
Israel Adesanya rates Alex Pereira’s chances in Magomed Ankalaev rematch
When Pereira and Ankalaev do have their rematch added to the calendar, another of the Brazilian’s former rivals is confident that he can exact his revenge.
During a podcast on his YouTube channel featuring fellow UFC star Sean O’Malley, Israel Adesanya backed Pereira to return to the light heavyweight throne.
“I’m so proud of the guy, what he’s done,” Adesanya said. “It’s like I created a monster.
“He showed why he is who he is across two weight classes. I can’t wait to see the next fight with him and Ankalaev again.
“I think it’ll be another hard one, but I think (Pereira) can get it done,” Adesanya added.
“Because it wasn’t a complete washout for that (first) fight. He’s exponentially getting better as well.”
Following two kickboxing defeats to Pereira, Adesanya split his two-fight series with ‘Poatan’ in the UFC. After a late TKO in the first fight removed ‘The Last Stylebender’ from the throne, he got redemption five months later with a thunderous knockout.
Having been the victim of that scenario, Pereira will now look to get his own back in a rematch at Ankalaev’s expense.