Is Magomed Ankalaev Next For Alex Pereira?
By Tim Burke October 30, 2024 19:49
#1 ranked light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev defeated #5 ranked Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308. Ankalaev is unbeaten in his last 13 fights; his nine-fight win streak is the second-best in the division. Ankalaev has only lost one MMA fight in his pro career to Paul Craig in 2018. The dominant light heavyweight contender cruised to victory against Aleksandar Rakić, and fans are now anticipating Ankalaev to fight for the title against Alex Pereira.
" I would have to say yes." Dana White said when asked if Ankalaev's performance was strong enough to earn him a title shot.
Pereira has become one of the biggest stars in the UFC with an entertaining fight style and is significantly more active than the other champions in the UFC. Whoever he fights next will be a massive fight. Despite the loss, Khalil Rountree's stock significantly increased when he fought Poatan at UFc 307. Ankalaev's resume in the octagon speaks for itself. He deserves the opportunity to fight for the title.
"Alex, stop running away from me," Ankalaev told reporters following his UFC 308 victory. Not every fighter's path to a title shot is a quick one. It has taken a 13-fight unbeaten strike for Ankalaev to reach a title shot. Pereira has fought three top-ranked opponents this year, but Ankalaev has been waiting for his opportunity. The UFC books the fights not Pereira, who is annoyed by the narrative.
"Ankalaev was never offered to me. I feel that he and his manager keep pushing, saying that I do not want to fight, but the organization does not want it because he is boring." Pereira told Aaron Bronsteter after UFC 307.
It seems highly likely that the UFC will book this Pereira vs. Ankalaev fight for early 2025, with Dana White and the UFC on board. Will Pereira continue his dominance, or will Ankalaev become champion? Everybody can read his striking. He's just a standard fighter who moves forward and drops people with his hook.
Pereira is condiered one of the best strikers in MMA along with Ilia Topuria. However, Poatan does not have a solid grappling background, which Ankalaev does possess. The light heavyweight champion has yet to be tested against strong grapplers in his MMA, which Ankalaev is. However, the #1 contender believes he will knock out Alex Pereira. Easier said than done. More prominent strikers have tried and failed. However, the UFC has an exciting fight on its hand for the early part of 2025.
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