UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has been making waves in the MMA world since his transition from kickboxing. After securing his first successful title defense with a knockout victory over Jiří Procházka, Pereira is already looking ahead to his next challenge. However, it seems that Magomed Ankalaev won’t be the one to step into the octagon against him.
Magomed Ankalaev, known for his dominant performances, had expressed his desire to challenge Pereira for the title. Following his brutal knockout of Johnny Walker earlier this year, Ankalaev wasted no time calling for a title showdown with the Brazilian champion. Unfortunately for Ankalaev, Alex Pereira has other plans.
Alex Pereira’s Assessment of Ankalaev
In a recent media scrum in Rio de Janeiro ahead of UFC 301, Alex Pereira revealed that he and the UFC favor a rematch with Jiří Procházka over a fight with Ankalaev. The Brazilian fighter didn’t mince words when discussing Ankalaev’s fighting style: “He’s a guy who did two very bad fights, very boring to watch. So, I don’t think there’s any need to say his name.” Clearly, Pereira believes that Ankalaev’s past performances don’t warrant a shot at the title.
Alex Pereira snubs Magomed Ankalaev and forecasts a Jiri Prochazka rematch for his second title defense 🏆
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/yaSqcXAX9O pic.twitter.com/rAhQbX39Ny
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) May 4, 2024
Jiri Procházka Rematch Likely Next
Jiří Procházka, on the other hand, has been making a strong case for a rematch. After collecting a handsome $300,000 bonus for his impressive finish of Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 300, Procházka has been vocal about wanting another shot at Pereira. Their first encounter ended controversially, with Pereira securing the win, but Procházka has been hungry for redemption ever since.
As for Magomed Ankalaev, the situation remains unclear. In a post-UFC 300 tweet, the Russian fighter tagged Dana White and vowed to continue knocking out contenders until he gets a title shot. However, if the UFC decides to look elsewhere for Alex Pereira’s second title defense, Ankalaev may need to prove himself further.
While Ankalaev’s wish to challenge Pereira has been denied, fans can look forward to a potential rematch between the Brazilian champion and Jiří Procházka. As the light heavyweight division heats up, all eyes will be on Pereira’s next move inside the octagon.
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