Hoping to get the very best version of Alex Pereira next month, Magomed Ankalaev has offered up some words of warning to his Brazilian enemy.
Returning to headline UFC 320 in his first outing as light heavyweight champion, Magomed Ankalaev will once more lock up with Alex Pereira off the back of their title grudge match earlier this year.
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And taking the narrowest of victories over former two-weight champion Pereira in their first clash earlier this year, Ankalaev snatched the light heavyweight crown.
Inflicting the Sao Paulo star’s first loss at 205lbs in the process, Ankalaev offered the star an immediate rematch.
And dealing with both illness and niggling injuries, Pereira has been urged by Ankalaev to enter their re-run at 100% — vowing to leave no doubt.
Magomed Ankalaev vows to end Alex Pereira rivalry definitively
Extending his undefeated streak to a staggering 14 straight fights with his decision win over Pereira back in March, Ankalaev eyes a more definitive victory this time around at UFC 320.
And hoping to land former GLORY Kickboxing force Pereira at his very best, Ankalaev warned he wants no talk of injuries, illnesses or other excuses from his rival when they rematch in Las Vegas.
“I actually want him (Pereira) to come into this fight 100% so there are no questions about the outcome,” Ankalaev told Sport24ru.
“I don’t want to hear talk like last time about him not being ready or something not being done.
“I want him to be in great shape so that after our fight, he has no excuses,” Ankalaev explained.
However, Pereira has already been warned by many that his bid to defeat Ankalaev and avenge his title loss may be a fruitless endeavor.
Alex Pereira accused of being ‘too rich’ to beat Magomed Ankalaev
Arguably the biggest star on the promotion’s books before his title loss to Ankalaev, Pereira had emerged as the UFC’s breakout and crossover star with his thunderous and active run at light heavyweight.
But according to recent UFC Shanghai headliner Zhang Mingyang, Pereira is too distracted with financial spoils and likely “too rich” to ever hurdle Ankalaev in the future.
“I think Ankalaev can defend his title because I think Alex Pereira is not as motivated as before,” Zhang told MMA Fighting.
“He’s too rich,” Mingyang continued. “I think no matter who you are as a fighter, or as a human being, if you are too rich, you are just kind of (lacking) of motivation (compared to) when you are young, when you are poor, when you are hungry.”