Surging contender, Magomed Ankalaev appeared less than impressed by incumbent light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira’s one-sided win over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 over the weekend, calling for his own title chase with the Brazilian at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi later this year.
Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder, and the current light heavyweight champion, turned in his first successful defense of the 205 pound crown over the weekend at UFC 300 – landing a devastating first round KO win over the above-mentioned, Hill in their pair’s main event grudge fight.
As for Ankalaev, the one-time vacant title challenger has been sidelined since he rematched Johnny Walker in January, turning in his own second round KO win to earn himself a Performance of the Night bonus.
And staking his claim for a stunning return to the Octagon in just three weeks time at UFC 301 in his native Brazil after emerging relatively unscathed from his title fight with Hill, Alex Pereira suggested a heavyweight move, and in turn, an interim championship clash against Tom Aspinall.
Magomed Ankalaev calls for Alex Pereira title clash in Abu Dhabi
However, receiving his own call out after his blistering UFC 300 win, Pereira has been challenged to an October return at the Etihad Arena in the Middle East by the above-mentioned, Ankalaev, who vowed to KO the fan-favorite at UFC 308.
“@AlexPereiraUFC vs. me [in] Abu Dhabi,” Magomed Ankalaev posted on his official X account.
“@AlexPereiraUFC congratulation (sic),” Magomed Ankalaev continued. “I will stop [you] in the first round by knockout. @danawhite @mickmaynard2 the man doesn’t have a chin.”
With his victory over Hill at UFC 300, Pereira turned in his third successive victory at the light heavyweight limit since his move last summer, having taken out Jan Blachowicz with a decision win, which came before a knockout of Jiri Prochazka to win vacant divisional gold.
Who wins in a future title fight: Alex Pereira or Magomed Ankalaev?