A man familiar with Alex Pereira’s power hopes one comment from Magomed Ankalaev’s coach doesn’t reflect the champion’s mindset.
Ankalaev is set to headline Saturday’s UFC 320 pay-per-view, as the Dagestani defends the light heavyweight title for the first time since winning it this past March.
Pereira will challenge Ankalaev in an immediate rematch at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, searching for revenge on the 205-pound kingpin.
Both sides have expressed confidence in the build-up, but it was one remark out of Ankalaev’s coach that drew particular attention.
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Alex Pereira’s ex-kickboxing rival warns Magomed Ankalaev after his coach downplayed the power of ‘Poatan’
During UFC 320 fight week, Ankalaev’s trainer shocked many by seemingly downplaying Pereira’s renowned power, which has seen the likes of Israel Adesanya, Jiri Prochazka, Sean Strickland, and Jamahal Hill all fall to his fists inside the Octagon.
Light heavyweight contender Dustin Jacoby knows about the Brazilian’s power firsthand, having been knocked out by ‘Poatan’ in their 2014 kickboxing bout.
Speaking on the Fight Bananas YouTube channel, ‘The Hanyak’ looked ahead to his former opponent’s return at UFC 320. While he’s expecting Ankalaev to keep hold of the title, he wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Pereira land a knockout blow if the Russian is underestimating his challenger’s punching power.
“I certainly believe Ankalaev is going to get it done,” Jacoby said. “However, if you’re talking gambling, betting…I would definitely sprinkle on ‘Poatan’ for a knockout.
“He has to go at him, which I certainly think he will. I think he’s gonna get into his face, try to knock him out, probably accept getting taken down the first time.
“I think Ankalaev is just too good, man,” Jacoby continued. “(But) he can’t get overzealous.
“And all this talk that his coach was saying how Pereira doesn’t really have power, I tell you what, man, that’ll get you knocked out really quick if you go in there and lose respect for the greatest knockout artist of all time.”
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Magomed Ankalaev expects to be the one landing the KO shot at UFC 320
When Ankalaev beat Pereira at UFC 313, the Dagestani surprised many by having more success on the feet than the former two-division Glory Kickboxing champion.
And having rocked ‘Poatan’ on the feet almost seven months ago, Ankalaev plans to go one step further by shutting his lights out for good at UFC 320.
“This fight will be completely different,” Ankalaev said during the UFC 320 Countdown episode. “This second fight, it’s not a chance for him to win. It’s a chance for me to finish him early. To dominate Alex Pereira.”